Astec Industries (Nasdaq: ASTE) reported earnings on Feb. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins dropped, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
 Astec Industries logged revenue of $227.6 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $248.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 13% lower than the prior-year quarter's $263.2 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 $0.23. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.39 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.23 for Q4 were 44% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.41 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.46 for Q4 were 31% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.35 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 21.1%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.6%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.7%, 170 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $269.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.54.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.03 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.00.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 271 members out of 282 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 113 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 111 give Astec Industries 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 Astec Industries is hold, with an average price target of $32.89.

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