Netgear Beats Up On Analysts Yet Again

Netgear (Nasdaq: NTGR  ) reported earnings on Feb. 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins improved, net margins increased.

Revenue details
Netgear logged revenue of $309.2 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $306.9 million. Sales were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $258.5 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.69. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.62 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.60 for Q4 were 62% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.37 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 30.7%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.9%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.4%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $314.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.65.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.33 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.75.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,270 members out of 2,342 rating the stock outperform, and 72 members rating it underperform. Among 776 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 770 give Netgear 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 Netgear is hold, with an average price target of $40.38.

The game is changing for makers of communications equipment, and some of the old guard may not make it. Where will Netgear fit in? Who's going to lead going forward? Check out "3 Hidden Winners of the iPhone, iPad, and Android Revolution." Click here for instant access to this free report.

• Add Netgear to My Watchlist.