CF Industries Holdings (NYSE: CF) reported earnings on Feb. 15. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
CF Industries Holdings booked revenue of $1.72 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $1.66 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 39% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.24 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 $7.13. The 16 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $6.78 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $6.66 for Q4 were 139% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.79 per share.

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 50.3%, 1,120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 47.7%, 1,110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 25.5%, 930 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.28 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $4.83.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.90 billion. The average EPS estimate is $23.62.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,169 members out of 1,211 rating the stock outperform, and 42 members rating it underperform. Among 307 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 298 give CF Industries Holdings a green thumbs-up, and nine give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on CF Industries Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $187.98.