Ericsson (OM: ERIC B) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded and GAAP earnings per share dropped to a loss.

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

Revenue details
Ericsson tallied revenue of $10.28 billion. The 26 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $9.99 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $9.27 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 $0.16. The 16 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.18 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.31 for Q4 compared to $0.05 per share for 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 31.1%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.1%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -9.7%, 1,150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $8.23 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.13.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $36.71 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.78.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 343 members out of 378 rating the stock outperform, and 35 members rating it underperform. Among 97 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 91 give Ericsson a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ericsson is outperform, with an average price target of $10.71.

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