United Stationers (Nasdaq: USTR) reported earnings on Feb. 13. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
United Stationers notched revenue of $1.31 billion. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $1.31 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.19 billion.

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 $0.81. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.75 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.65 were the same as 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 14.5%, 150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.8%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.3%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.22 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.64.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.02 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.51.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 49 members out of 56 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 25 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 23 give United Stationers a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United Stationers is hold, with an average price target of $36.

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