WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) (NYSE: WX) reported earnings on March 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) beat expectations for both revenue and earnings per share.

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

Gross margin improved, operating margin dropped, and net margin increased.

Revenue details
WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) logged revenue of $108.5 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $106.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 23% higher than the prior-year quarter's $88.6 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.31. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.26 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.32 for Q4 were 33% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.24 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 39.2%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.6%, 250 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 21.6%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $112.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.26.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $471.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.19.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 331 members rating the stock outperform and 22 members rating it underperform. Among 85 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 82 give WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) 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 WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) is outperform, with an average price target of $18.27.

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