Cal Dive International (NYSE: DVR) reported earnings on Feb. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Cal Dive International beat expectations on revenue and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
Cal Dive International tallied revenue of $127.4 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $112.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 21% lower than the prior-year quarter's $161.0 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 -$0.08. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.09 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were -$0.10 for Q4 compared to -$0.03 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 6.1%, 860 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -4.0%, 950 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -6.9%, 540 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $99.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.14.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $584.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.22.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 517 members out of 537 rating the stock outperform, and 20 members rating it underperform. Among 147 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 142 give Cal Dive International a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Cal Dive International is outperform, with an average price target of $4.58.

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