General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) reported earnings on Jan. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), General Dynamics missed slightly on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue improved, and earnings per share dropped.

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
General Dynamics reported revenue of $9.1 billion. The 18 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $9.3 billion. Sales were 6.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $8.6 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $2.03. The 23 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.99 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.68 for Q4 were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.91 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 10.4%, 810 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.4%, 210 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.6%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $8.1 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.76.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $34.0 billion. The average EPS estimate is $7.57.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,295 members out of 1,358 rating the stock outperform, and 63 members rating it underperform. Among 378 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 367 give General Dynamics a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on General Dynamics is outperform, with an average price target of $75.85.

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