Tennant (NYSE: TNC) reported earnings on Feb. 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
Tennant booked revenue of $193.2 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $192.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $182.8 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 $0.59. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.57 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.59 for Q4 were 33% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.88 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 43.2%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.0%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.8%, 350 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $177.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.38.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $794.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.35.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 137 members out of 146 rating the stock outperform, and nine members rating it underperform. Among 45 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 43 give Tennant 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 Tennant is outperform, with an average price target of $45.50.

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