Verisk Analytics (Nasdaq: VRSK) reported earnings yesterday. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins shrank, operating margins grew, net margins improved.

Revenue details
Verisk Analytics tallied revenue of $340.1 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $331.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $293.2 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 $0.41. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.39 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.47 for Q3 were 31% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.36 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 60.1%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 39.5%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 22.8%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $340.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.41.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.32 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.58.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 68 members out of 73 rating the stock outperform, and five members rating it underperform. Among 21 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 21 give Verisk Analytics a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Verisk Analytics is outperform, with an average price target of $42.38.