Swift Energy (NYSE: SFY) reported earnings on Feb. 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
 Swift Energy logged revenue of $157.9 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $150.5 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 $0.26. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.29 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.26 for Q4 were 45% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.47 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 80.9%, much worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 23.3%, 460 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.1%, 610 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $153.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.22.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $663.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.10.

Investor sentiment

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Swift Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $28.92.

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