NuStar Energy (NYSE: NS) reported earnings on Feb. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue shrank significantly and GAAP loss per share contracted.

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

Revenue details
 NuStar Energy reported revenue of $984.8 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $801.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 49% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.93 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 $0.25. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.32 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.27 for Q4 versus -$0.32 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 12.7%, 620 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 5.7%, 320 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -2.2%, 320 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $834.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.39.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.05 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.07.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 351 members out of 370 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 129 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 125 give NuStar Energy a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on NuStar Energy is hold, with an average price target of $50.30.

Is NuStar Energy the right energy stock for you? Read about a handful of timely, profit-producing plays on expensive crude in "3 Stocks for $100 Oil." Click here for instant access to this free report.