Belo Beats Analyst Estimates on EPS

Belo (NYSE: BLC  ) reported earnings on Feb. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
Belo booked revenue of $204.9 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $203.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $180.3 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 $0.37. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.35 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.34 for Q4 were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.29 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 45.7%, 360 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 37.3%, 340 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.1%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $159.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.15.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $685.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.78.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 106 members out of 132 rating the stock outperform, and 26 members rating it underperform. Among 43 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 38 give Belo a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Belo is buy, with an average price target of $9.25.

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