TravelCenters of America (AMEX: TA) reported earnings on March 18. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), TravelCenters of America met expectations on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue was unchanged. GAAP loss per share grew.

Gross margins grew, operating margins dropped, net margins were steady.

Revenue details
 TravelCenters of America notched revenue of $1.93 billion. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see sales of $1.93 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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 -$0.08. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated -$0.11 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.08 for Q4 compared to -$0.07 per share for 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 4.5%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 0.0%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -0.1%, much about the same as the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.04 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.42.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $8.29 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.20.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 93 members out of 107 rating the stock outperform, and 14 members rating it underperform. Among 39 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 33 give TravelCenters of America 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 TravelCenters of America is outperform, with an average price target of $6.25.

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