US Physical Therapy (Nasdaq: USPH) reported earnings on Mar. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins contracted, net margins grew.

Revenue details
US Physical Therapy chalked up revenue of $60.7 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $59.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $53.3 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 $0.29. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.28 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.69 for Q4 were 97% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.35 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 26.4%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.7%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.6%, 580 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $60.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.35.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $248.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.52.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 227 members out of 231 rating the stock outperform, and four members rating it underperform. Among 76 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 75 give US Physical Therapy a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on US Physical Therapy is buy, with an average price target of $24.83.

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