United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), United Parcel Service missed slightly on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
United Parcel Service booked revenue of $14.17 billion. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $14.45 billion. Sales were 5.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $13.42 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.28. The 22 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.34 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.25 for Q4 were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.12 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 50.9%, 2,630 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.0%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.6%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $13.21 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.01.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $56.13 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.88.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,525 members out of 1,735 rating the stock outperform, and 210 members rating it underperform. Among 471 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 431 give United Parcel Service a green thumbs-up, and 40 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United Parcel Service is outperform, with an average price target of $83.24.

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