El Paso Pipeline Partners (NYSE: EPB) reported earnings on Jan. 16. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), El Paso Pipeline Partners missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 El Paso Pipeline Partners reported revenue of $390.0 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $406.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 7.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $362.0 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 $0.62. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.55 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.82 for Q4 were 61% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.51 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 79.7%, 790 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 63.6%, 950 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 45.6%, 1,660 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $416.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.57.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.70 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.17.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 274 members out of 278 rating the stock outperform, and four members rating it underperform. Among 86 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 85 give El Paso Pipeline Partners a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on El Paso Pipeline Partners is hold, with an average price target of $39.85.

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