Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE: LGF) reported earnings on Feb. 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q3), Lions Gate Entertainment whiffed on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
Lions Gate Entertainment reported revenue of $323.0 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $363.8 million. GAAP sales were 24% lower than the prior-year quarter's $422.9 million.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at -$0.01. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.12 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.01 for Q3 compared to -$0.04 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 37.5%, 1,410 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.6%, 160 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -0.5%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $489.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.09.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.47 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.11.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 271 members out of 315 rating the stock outperform, and 44 members rating it underperform. Among 79 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 68 give Lions Gate Entertainment a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Lions Gate Entertainment is outperform, with an average price target of $8.93.

Over the decades, small-cap stocks, like Lions Gate Entertainment have provided market-beating returns, provided they're value priced and have solid businesses. Read about a pair of companies with a lock on their markets in "Too Small to Fail: Two Small Caps the Government Won't Let Go Broke." Click here for instant access to this free report.