Air Methods (Nasdaq: AIRM) reported earnings on Feb. 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Air Methods logged revenue of $216.2 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $204.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $193.3 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 $0.55. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.44 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.55 for Q4 were 72% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.32 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 40.2%, 290 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.9%, 320 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.9%, 350 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $204.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.32.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $916.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.38.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 266 members out of 284 rating the stock outperform, and 18 members rating it underperform. Among 77 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 74 give Air Methods a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Air Methods is outperform, with an average price target of $42.00.

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