Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE: HOT) reported earnings today. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased and GAAP earnings per share shrank significantly.

Gross margins expanded, operating margins shrank, and net margins dropped.

Revenue details
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide reported revenue of $1.53 billion. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $1.42 billion. Sales were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.34 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.71. The 22 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.57 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.85 for Q4 were 52% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.76 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 26.1%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.2%, 250 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.9%, 1,440 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.33 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.37.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.89 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.25.

Investor sentiment

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is outperform, with an average price target of $59.50.