Athenahealth (Nasdaq: ATHN) reported earnings on Feb. 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 Athenahealth reported revenue of $116.3 million. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $117.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $92.5 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 $0.29. The 18 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.28 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.16 for Q4 were 6.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.15 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 61.1%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.0%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.1%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $122.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.25.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $542.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.22.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 191 members out of 243 rating the stock outperform, and 52 members rating it underperform. Among 71 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 55 give Athenahealth a green thumbs-up, and 16 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Athenahealth is hold, with an average price target of $79.18.

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