Sunoco Logistics Partners (NYSE: SXL) reported earnings on Feb. 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Sunoco Logistics Partners missed estimates on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Sunoco Logistics Partners reported revenue of $3.19 billion. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $3.38 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $3.38 billion.

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 $1.10. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.86 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.10 for Q4 were 86% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.59 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 8.2%, 230 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 5.1%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.4%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.14 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.85.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $13.46 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.48.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 177 members out of 188 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 58 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 56 give Sunoco Logistics Partners 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 Sunoco Logistics Partners is outperform, with an average price target of $55.23.

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