Praxair (NYSE: PX) reported earnings on Jan. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Praxair met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue was unchanged and GAAP earnings per share was unchanged.

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

Revenue details
 Praxair recorded revenue of $2.80 billion. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $2.78 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.80 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 $1.38. The 17 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.37 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.38 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 43.4%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.0%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.8%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.96 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.46.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $11.96 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.15.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 670 members out of 695 rating the stock outperform, and 25 members rating it underperform. Among 160 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 158 give Praxair a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Praxair is outperform, with an average price target of $116.32.

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