EZchip Semiconductor (Nasdaq: EZCH) reported earnings on Feb. 13. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 EZchip Semiconductor notched revenue of $15.2 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $14.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 6.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $14.3 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 $0.26. The 11 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.21 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.17 for Q4 against -$0.23 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 83.2%, 690 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 28.0%, 390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 31.8%, 7,350 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $15.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.24.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $74.2 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.24.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 244 members out of 257 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 48 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 46 give EZchip Semiconductor 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 EZchip Semiconductor is outperform, with an average price target of $39.00.

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