National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV) reported earnings on Feb. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
National Oilwell Varco reported revenue of $5.69 billion. The 18 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $5.30 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 33% higher than the prior-year quarter's $4.26 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 $1.49. The 26 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $1.44 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.56 for Q4 were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.35 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 24.8%, 510 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.9%, 400 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.8%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $5.42 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.49.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $22.67 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.45.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 3,756 members out of 3,806 rating the stock outperform, and 50 members rating it underperform. Among 943 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 934 give National Oilwell Varco a green thumbs-up, and nine give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on National Oilwell Varco is outperform, with an average price target of $92.08.

Is National Oilwell Varco 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.