Oracle (Nasdaq: ORCL) reported earnings on Dec. 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Nov. 30 (Q2), Oracle missed on revenues and missed on earnings per share.

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
Oracle logged revenue of $8.8 billion. The 36 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for sales of $9.2 billion. Sales were 2.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $8.6 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.54. The 37 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.57 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.43 for Q2 were 16% 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 77.8%, 290 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 36%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 24.9%, 310 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods.

Looking ahead
What does the future hold?

Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $9.0 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.57. (There are 24 revenue estimates and 35 EPS estimates.)

For the full year ending 2012, the average estimate for revenue is $37.5 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.36. (There are 26 revenue estimates and 41 EPS estimates.)

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 3,262 members out of 3,462 rating the stock outperform, and 201 members rating it underperform. Among 787 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 754 give Oracle a green thumbs-up, and 33 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Oracle is outperform, with an average price target of $36.16.