Preformed Line Products Beats on the Top Line

Preformed Line Products (Nasdaq: PLPC  ) reported earnings on March 13. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Preformed Line Products missed estimates 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
Preformed Line Products reported revenue of $106.1 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $109.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $93.3 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 $1.67. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.45 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.67 for Q4 were 48% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.13 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 32.2%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.3%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.4%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $110.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.45.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $449.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $5.89.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 287 members out of 292 rating the stock outperform, and five members rating it underperform. Among 97 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 96 give Preformed Line Products a green thumbs-up, and one gives it a red thumbs-down.

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