Post Properties (NYSE: PPS) reported earnings on Feb. 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins increased, and net margins shrank.

Revenue details
Post Properties booked revenue of $77.7 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see sales of $76.6 million. Sales were 7.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $72.3 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.19. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.11 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.06 for Q4 were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.05 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 58.7%, 230 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 29.4%, 580 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.0%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $77.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.17.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $326.2 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.55.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 38 members out of 90 rating the stock outperform, and 52 members rating it underperform. Among 32 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 14 give Post Properties a green thumbs-up, and 18 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Post Properties is hold, with an average price target of $43.79.

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