United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 United Parcel Service logged revenue of $14.57 billion. The 18 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $14.44 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $14.17 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 $1.32. The 23 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.38 per share. GAAP EPS were -$1.83 for Q4 compared to $0.84 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 18.0%, 270 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -19.1%, 2,830 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -12.0%, 1,770 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $13.57 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.09.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $56.87 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.14.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,606 members out of 1,818 rating the stock outperform, and 212 members rating it underperform. Among 507 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 464 give United Parcel Service a green thumbs-up, and 43 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United Parcel Service is outperform, with an average price target of $83.26.

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