Sun Hydraulics (Nasdaq: SNHY) reported earnings on March 12. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margin grew, operating margin expanded, and net margin contracted.

Revenue details
Sun Hydraulics logged revenue of $45.7 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $45.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 9.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $41.8 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 $0.24. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.28 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.24 for Q4 were 4.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.25 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 36.9%, 170 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.9%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.3%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $52.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.39.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $214.4 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 1,296 members out of 1,314 rating the stock outperform, and 18 members rating it underperform. Among 438 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 435 give Sun Hydraulics 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 Sun Hydraulics is hold, with an average price target of $26.00.

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