NCR (NYSE: NCR) reported earnings on Feb. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins improved, operating margins improved, but net margins contracted.

Revenue details
NCR chalked up revenue of $1.64 billion. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $1.60 billion. Sales were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.41 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.65. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.57 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were -$0.05 for Q4 versus $0.24 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 22.2%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.8%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -0.5%, 330 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.26 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.36.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.97 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.21.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 257 members out of 280 rating the stock outperform, and 23 members rating it underperform. Among 90 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 84 give NCR a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on NCR is outperform, with an average price target of $24.50.

Looking to profit from the makers of computer hardware? You may be missing something obvious about where the money will be made in the tech industry of the future. Is NCR on the right side of the revolution? Check out the changing landscape and meet the company that Motley Fool analysts expect to lead "The Next Trillion-dollar Revolution." Click here for instant access to this free report.