AU Optronics (NYSE: AUO) reported earnings on Feb. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 AU Optronics logged revenue of $3.42 billion. The 20 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw sales of $3.55 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.96 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 -$0.49. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged -$0.23 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.05 for Q4 compared to -$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 2.8%, 1,430 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -4.8%, 1,500 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -12.5%, 1,060 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.10 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.41.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $14.01 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.73.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 463 members out of 490 rating the stock outperform, and 27 members rating it underperform. Among 110 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 106 give AU Optronics 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 AU Optronics is outperform, with an average price target of $4.65.

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