Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Beats Analyst Estimates on EPS

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AUXL  ) reported earnings on Feb. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals recorded revenue of $172.5 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see a top line of $172.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $73.3 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 $1.83. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $1.71 per share. GAAP EPS were $1.83 for Q4 versus -$0.25 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 83.7%, 620 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 52.5%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 52.5%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $81.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.08.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $344.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.11.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 132 members out of 187 rating the stock outperform, and 55 members rating it underperform. Among 57 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 32 give Auxilium Pharmaceuticals a green thumbs-up, and 25 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Auxilium Pharmaceuticals is outperform, with an average price target of $22.45.

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