RPX (Nasdaq: RPXC) reported earnings on Feb. 12. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins expanded, net margins increased.

Revenue details
 RPX logged revenue of $51.6 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $49.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 22% higher than the prior-year quarter's $42.4 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 $0.24. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.18 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.19 for Q4 were 36% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.14 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 57.7%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 31.1%, 150 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.6%, 330 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $60.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $229.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.96.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 137 members out of 139 rating the stock outperform, and two members rating it underperform. Among 48 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 46 give RPX 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 RPX is outperform, with an average price target of $16.88.

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