Micrel (Nasdaq: MCRL) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Micrel 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.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Micrel logged revenue of $62.3 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $60.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 6.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $58.8 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 $0.06. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.07 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.10 for Q4 against $0.08 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 50.3%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.3%, 300 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -9.2%, 1,770 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $63.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.08.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $274.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.45.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 116 members out of 123 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 39 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 36 give Micrel a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Micrel is buy, with an average price target of $15.50.

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