Rex Energy (Nasdaq: REXX) reported earnings on Feb. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew significantly. Non-GAAP earnings per share dropped significantly. GAAP loss per share didn't move.

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

Revenue details
 Rex Energy reported revenue of $45.1 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see sales of $42.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 42% higher than the prior-year quarter's $31.7 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 $0.11. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.09 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.11 for Q4 were 48% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.21 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.10 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.) GAAP EPS of -$0.07 were the same as 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 70.9%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.1%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -8.0%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $47.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.12.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $226.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.64.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 341 members out of 362 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 66 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 60 give Rex Energy a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Rex Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $17.13.

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