Measurement Specialties (Nasdaq: MEAS) reported earnings on Feb. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q3), Measurement Specialties met expectations on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
Measurement Specialties booked revenue of $76.3 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw net sales of $75.7 million. Sales were 6.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $71.7 million.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.30. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.34 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.30 for Q3 were 39% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.49 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 37.8%, 360 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.5%, 710 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.2%, 430 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $84.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.47.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $310.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.72.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 118 members out of 124 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 39 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 37 give Measurement Specialties 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 Measurement Specialties is buy, with an average price target of $37.25.

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