Quality Distribution (Nasdaq: QLTY) reported earnings on Feb. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
Quality Distribution reported revenue of $178.8 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $181.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 7.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $165.8 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.15. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.14 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were $0.22 for Q4 against -$0.51 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 14.2%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.2%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.1%, 950 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $188.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.15.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $806.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.95.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 66 members rating the stock outperform and four members rating it underperform. Among 18 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 17 give Quality Distribution a green thumbs-up, and one gives it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Quality Distribution is outperform, with an average price target of $15.89.

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