Viacom (Nasdaq: VIAB) reported earnings on Nov. 15. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q4), Viacom met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Viacom booked revenue of $3.36 billion. The 29 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $3.41 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 17% lower than the prior-year quarter's $4.05 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 $1.21. The 32 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.16 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.25 for Q4 were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.99 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 53.5%, 740 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 31.2%, 510 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.3%, 510 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.77 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.12.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $14.41 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.77.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 134 members out of 146 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 58 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 54 give Viacom a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Viacom is outperform, with an average price target of $54.79.

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