Shaw Communications (NYSE: SJR) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Aug. 31 (Q4), Shaw Communications beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins expanded, operating margins shrank, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
 Shaw Communications booked revenue of $1.23 billion. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $1.20 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.21 billion.

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 $0.34. The 13 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.28 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.28 for Q4 were 56% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.18 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.20 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 36.3%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 24.1%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.7%, 390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.31 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.45.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.09 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.56.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 119 members out of 127 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 31 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 28 give Shaw Communications 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 Shaw Communications is hold, with an average price target of $19.46.