Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) reported earnings on Jan. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue improved and earnings per share increased.

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
Abbott Laboratories notched revenue of $10.4 billion. The 18 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $10.6 billion. Sales were 4.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $10.0 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.45. The 21 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.44 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.02 for Q4 were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.92 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 63.0%, 470 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 23.9%, 360 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.6%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $9.6 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.02.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $40.7 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.02.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,555 members out of 2,648 rating the stock outperform, and 93 members rating it underperform. Among 726 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 709 give Abbott Laboratories a green thumbs-up, and 17 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Abbott Laboratories is hold, with an average price target of $58.24.

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