C.R. Bard (NYSE: BCR) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins expanded, and net margins shrank.

Revenue details
CR Bard reported revenue of $751.9 million. The 17 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $748.5 million. Sales were 4.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $717.1 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.70. The 21 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.68 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.30 for Q4 were 11% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.46 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 62.5%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 28.2%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.1%, 390 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $730.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.56.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.04 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.65.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 264 members out of 276 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 103 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 101 give C.R. Bard a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on C.R. Bard is hold, with an average price target of $86.93.

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