Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL) reported earnings on Feb. 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Noble Energy chalked up revenue of $1.17 billion. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $1.13 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 25% higher than the prior-year quarter's $936.0 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 $1.65. The 26 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.13 per share. GAAP EPS were $1.40 for Q4 versus -$1.67 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 84.0%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 32.0%, 8,390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 21.5%, 5,310 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.13 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.32.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.11 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.51.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 391 members out of 407 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 106 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 100 give Noble Energy a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Noble Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $120.75.

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