Steris (NYSE: STE) reported earnings on Feb. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins contracted, and net margins increased.

Revenue details
Steris booked revenue of $355.2 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $360.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.2% higher than the prior-year quarter's $328.3 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.59. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.60 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.58 for Q3 were 61% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.36 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 38.9%, 290 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.5%, 150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.5%, 290 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $373.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.61.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.39 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.19.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 89 members out of 107 rating the stock outperform, and 18 members rating it underperform. Among 29 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 26 give Steris a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Steris is outperform, with an average price target of $38.

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