Houston Wire & Cable (Nasdaq: HWCC) reported earnings on March 15. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Houston Wire & Cable whiffed on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped and GAAP earnings per share didn't change.

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
Houston Wire & Cable tallied revenue of $87.5 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $101.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 6.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $93.5 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 $0.17. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.24 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.17 were the same as 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 22.8%, 170 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.1%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.5%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $93.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.27.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $386.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.13.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 465 members out of 484 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 144 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 143 give Houston Wire & Cable 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 Houston Wire & Cable is buy, with an average price target of $17.00.

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