Federated Investors (NYSE: FII) reported earnings on Jan. 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins grew, net margins increased.

Revenue details
 Federated Investors reported revenue of $244.8 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see sales of $253.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $216.4 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 $0.44. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.40 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.44 for Q4 were 22% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.36 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 74.2%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 34.0%, 540 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 20.3%, 320 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $257.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.43.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.05 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.79.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 293 members out of 312 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 101 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 96 give Federated Investors a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Federated Investors is hold, with an average price target of $21.73.

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