John Bean Technologies (NYSE: JBT) reported earnings on March 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 John Bean Technologies notched revenue of $292.9 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $299.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 7.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $271.5 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 $0.65. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.62 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.65 for Q4 were 35% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.48 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.) GAAP EPS of $0.62 for Q4 were 158% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.24 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 25.5%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.0%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.3%, 360 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $227.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.24.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $978.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.43.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 101 members out of 103 rating the stock outperform, and two members rating it underperform. Among 41 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 41 give John Bean Technologies a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on John Bean Technologies is outperform, with an average price target of $20.00.

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