Chiquita Brands International (NYSE: CQB) reported earnings on Feb. 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Chiquita Brands International missed estimates on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped and GAAP loss per share dropped.

Gross margins contracted, operating margins improved, net margins increased.

Revenue details
Chiquita Brands International reported revenue of $722.0 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for revenue of $758.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 6.6% lower than the prior-year quarter's $773.1 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 -$0.12. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.17 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were -$0.36 for Q4 versus -$0.44 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 10.2%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -0.8%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -2.2%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $776.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.14 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.92.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 258 members out of 304 rating the stock outperform, and 46 members rating it underperform. Among 62 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 53 give Chiquita Brands International 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 Chiquita Brands International is buy, with an average price target of $14.75.

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