Core Laboratories (NYSE: CLB) reported earnings on Jan. 30. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 Core Laboratories logged revenue of $254.5 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $246.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $243.8 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 $1.17. The 12 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.13 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.17 for Q4 were 5.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.11 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 36.7%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 29.8%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 21.5%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $242.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.12.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.05 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.98.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 581 members out of 592 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 136 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 135 give Core Laboratories 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 Core Laboratories is hold, with an average price target of $119.55.

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