United Rentals (NYSE: URI) filed its 10-K on Jan. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 United Rentals tallied revenue of $1.25 billion. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $1.26 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 67% higher than the prior-year quarter's $746.0 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 $1.27. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $1.01 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.39 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 39.6%, 270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.4%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.3%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.11 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.48.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.10 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.74.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 204 members out of 224 rating the stock outperform, and 20 members rating it underperform. Among 76 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 72 give United Rentals 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 United Rentals is outperform, with an average price target of $49.42.

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