Pacer International (Nasdaq: PACR) reported earnings on Feb. 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
Pacer International recorded revenue of $358.0 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $366.1 million. GAAP sales were 4.1% lower than the prior-year quarter's $373.3 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.07. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.07 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were $0.03 for Q4 compared to -$0.03 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 11.5%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 1.2%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.3%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $361.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.05.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.53 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.39.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 305 members out of 330 rating the stock outperform, and 25 members rating it underperform. Among 109 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 102 give Pacer International a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Pacer International is hold, with an average price target of $7.08.

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