HEALTHSOUTH (NYSE: HLS) reported earnings on Feb. 18. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 HEALTHSOUTH recorded revenue of $552.9 million. The 12 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $545.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $518.1 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 $0.43. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.32 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.44 for Q4 were 10.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.40 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.05 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 45.8%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.2%, 110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.6%, 110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $556.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.42.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.23 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.64.

Investor sentiment

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on HEALTHSOUTH is outperform, with an average price target of $26.73.

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