American Science & Engineering (Nasdaq: ASEI) reported earnings on Feb. 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q3), American Science & Engineering beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins improved, operating margins shrank, net margins shrank.

Revenue details
American Science & Engineering reported revenue of $57.9 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see a top line of $57.0 million. GAAP sales were 24% lower than the prior-year quarter's $76.6 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.84. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.79 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.84 for Q3 were 34% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.28 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 45.7%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.4%, 330 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.0%, 240 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $57.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.79.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $221.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.93.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,002 members out of 1,029 rating the stock outperform, and 27 members rating it underperform. Among 366 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 361 give American Science & Engineering a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on American Science & Engineering is hold, with an average price target of $71.00.

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