ORBCOMM (Nasdaq: ORBC) reported earnings on March 14. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 ORBCOMM logged revenue of $16.2 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for sales of $16.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 19% higher than the prior-year quarter's $13.7 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 $0.04. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.05 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.04 for Q4 were 300% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.01 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 51.7%, 150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.7%, 620 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.1%, 800 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $18.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.06.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $75.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.20.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 48 members out of 60 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 12 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), eight give ORBCOMM a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on ORBCOMM is buy, with an average price target of $4.63.

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