Entergy (NYSE: ETR) reported earnings today. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Entergy missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins were steady, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
Entergy booked revenue of $2.49 billion. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for net sales of $2.73 billion. Sales were 1.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.53 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.94. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.90 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.94 for Q4 were 31% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.26 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 31.6%, 240 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.8%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.2%, 280 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.62 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.32.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $11.70 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.88.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 341 members out of 366 rating the stock outperform, and 25 members rating it underperform. Among 116 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 113 give Entergy a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Entergy is hold, with an average price target of $75.29.

Can your portfolio provide you with enough income to last through retirement? You'll need more than Entergy. Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 11 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks." Click here for instant access to this free report.