Clayton Williams Energy (Nasdaq: CWEI) reported earnings on Feb. 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Clayton Williams Energy met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Clayton Williams Energy notched revenue of $101.6 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for sales of $102.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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 $0.14. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.39 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.14 for Q4 compared to -$1.28 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 64.0%, much worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.6%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.7%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $102.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.51.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $410.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.25.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 206 members out of 225 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 58 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 51 give Clayton Williams Energy a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Clayton Williams Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $65.25.

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