Shaw Group (NYSE: SHAW) reported earnings on Dec. 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Nov. 30 (Q1), Shaw Group met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Shaw Group logged revenue of $1.37 billion. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see a top line of $1.39 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 9.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.52 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 $0.44. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.39 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.03 for Q1 were 51% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.68 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 8.4%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.7%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.1%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.32 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.42.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.37 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.86.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 538 members out of 573 rating the stock outperform, and 35 members rating it underperform. Among 131 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 118 give Shaw Group a green thumbs-up, and 13 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Shaw Group is hold, with an average price target of $42.18.

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