US Ecology (Nasdaq: ECOL) reported earnings on Feb. 16. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
US Ecology chalked up revenue of $41.6 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $38.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $39.5 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 $0.34. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.24 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.37 for Q4 were 48% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.25 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 38.6%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 25.0%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 16.1%, 460 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $36.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.17.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $163.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.15.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 487 members out of 501 rating the stock outperform, and 14 members rating it underperform. Among 157 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 155 give US Ecology 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 US Ecology is outperform, with an average price target of $19.50.

Over the decades, small-cap stocks, like US Ecology have provided market-beating returns, provided they're value priced and have solid businesses. Read about a pair of companies with a lock on their markets in "Too Small to Fail: Two Small Caps the Government Won't Let Go Broke." Click here for instant access to this free report.