Otter Tail (Nasdaq: OTTR) reported earnings on Feb. 11. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Otter Tail logged revenue of $212.6 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated sales of $257.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 30% higher than the prior-year quarter's $163.8 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 $0.47. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.30 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.08 for Q4 against -$1.24 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 18.4%, 2,360 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.4%, 640 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.4%, 2,840 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $232.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.31.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $948.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.34.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 936 members out of 965 rating the stock outperform, and 29 members rating it underperform. Among 323 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 316 give Otter Tail a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Otter Tail is hold, with an average price target of $24.67.

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