Energy Transfer Equity (NYSE: ETE) reported earnings on Feb. 15. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
Energy Transfer Equity reported revenue of $2.18 billion. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $2.16 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 23% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.78 billion.

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 $0.38. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.42 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.38 for Q4 were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.33 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 26.3%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.7%, 280 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.9%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.89 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.38.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $8.78 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.37.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 203 members rating the stock outperform and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 80 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 75 give Energy Transfer Equity a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Energy Transfer Equity is outperform, with an average price target of $46.38.

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