Baker Hughes
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Baker Hughes missed slightly on revenues and missed on earnings per share.
Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue improved significantly, and earnings per share contracted.
Gross margins increased, operating margins grew, net margins dropped.
Revenue details
Baker Hughes notched revenue of $5.4 billion. The 20 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for revenue of $5.5 billion. Sales were 22% higher than the prior-year quarter's $4.4 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.
EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.22. The 28 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.32 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.72 for Q4 were 7.1% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.77 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.
Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 23.6%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.6%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.8%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.
Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $5.5 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.30.
Next year's average estimate for revenue is $22.9 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.52.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,132 members out of 1,177 rating the stock outperform, and 45 members rating it underperform. Among 371 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 363 give Baker Hughes a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Baker Hughes is outperform, with an average price target of $75.58.
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