Colonial Properties Trust (NYSE: CLP) reported earnings on Jan. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Colonial Properties Trust beat expectations on revenues.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew and earnings per share grew. The profit was a surprise, as analysts had predicted a loss.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
Colonial Properties Trust booked revenue of $100.4 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw sales of $94.9 million. Sales were 3.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $93.4 million.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.10. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.02 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.10 for Q4 against -$0.10 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 60%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.3%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.9%, 1,700 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $94.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.06.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $390.4 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.24.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 112 members out of 144 rating the stock outperform, and 32 members rating it underperform. Among 57 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 46 give Colonial Properties Trust 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 Colonial Properties Trust is hold, with an average price target of $21.22.

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