Fiserv (Nasdaq: FISV) reported earnings on Feb. 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
Fiserv chalked up revenue of $1.16 billion. The 15 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $1.13 billion. Sales were 7.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.08 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.27. The 19 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.27 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.00 for Q4 were 28% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.78 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 42.9%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 24.2%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.3%, 150 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.11 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.16.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.53 billion.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 333 members out of 356 rating the stock outperform, and 24 members rating it underperform. Among 117 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 113 give Fiserv a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Fiserv is outperform, with an average price target of $68.56.

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