Benchmark Electronics (NYSE: BHE) reported earnings on Feb. 4. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Benchmark Electronics logged revenue of $633.9 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $597.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $559.1 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 $0.33. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.30 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.33 for Q4 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.05 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 7.2%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.7%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.9%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $579.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.27.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.44 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.26.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 155 members out of 166 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 52 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 50 give Benchmark Electronics a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Benchmark Electronics is underperform, with an average price target of $14.79.

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