Superior Energy Services (NYSE: SPN) reported earnings on Feb. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Superior Energy Services beat expectations on revenues and beat slightly on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
Superior Energy Services logged revenue of $580.0 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $567.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 27% higher than the prior-year quarter's $456.9 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.67. The 13 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.66 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.24 for Q4 were 500% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.04 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 46.3%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 16.1%, 600 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.3%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $860.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.69.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.80 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.44.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 825 members out of 838 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 234 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 231 give Superior Energy Services a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Superior Energy Services is buy, with an average price target of $41.10.

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