Nexstar Broadcasting Group (Nasdaq: NXST) reported earnings on March 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
Nexstar Broadcasting Group chalked up revenue of $86.2 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $85.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 11% lower than the prior-year quarter's $97.1 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 $0.11. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.13 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.11 for Q4 were 78% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.49 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 77.3%, 200 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.0%, 950 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.8%, 1,090 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $79.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.07.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $362.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.72.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 24 members out of 35 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among four CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), one gives Nexstar Broadcasting Group a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Nexstar Broadcasting Group is buy, with an average price target of $12.00.

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