Ellie Mae (NYSE: ELLI) reported earnings on Feb. 14. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins grew, net margins shrank.

Revenue details
 Ellie Mae booked revenue of $29.9 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $28.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 60% higher than the prior-year quarter's $18.8 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 $0.27. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.21 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.14 for Q4 were 13% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.16 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 78.2%, 410 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.4%, 950 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.4%, 500 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $27.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.19.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $126.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.91.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 105 members out of 109 rating the stock outperform, and four members rating it underperform. Among 29 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 28 give Ellie Mae a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ellie Mae is outperform, with an average price target of $30.00.

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