Darling International (NYSE: DAR) reported earnings on Feb. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Darling International beat slightly on revenue and whiffed on earnings per share.

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

Gross margin dropped, operating margin shrank, and net margin grew.

Revenue details
Darling International logged revenue of $430.9 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see sales of $425.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 90% higher than the prior-year quarter's $227.2 million.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.25. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.33 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.25 for Q4 were 108% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.12 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 27.1%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.8%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.8%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $409.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.35.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.70 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.42.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,076 members out of 1,102 rating the stock outperform, and 26 members rating it underperform. Among 290 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 286 give Darling International a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Darling International is outperform, with an average price target of $18.43.

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