Alliance Holdings GP (Nasdaq: AHGP) reported earnings on Jan. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Alliance Holdings GP beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Alliance Holdings GP booked revenue of $549.3 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $535.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $474.5 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 $0.88. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.79 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.87 for Q4 were 115% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.87 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 33.6%, 300 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.4%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.6%, 660 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $556.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.89.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.24 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.70.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 258 members out of 264 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 81 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 79 give Alliance Holdings GP 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 Alliance Holdings GP is outperform, with an average price target of $57.50.

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