Nova Measuring Instruments (Nasdaq: NVMI) reported earnings on March 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Nova Measuring Instruments beat expectations on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
Nova Measuring Instruments recorded revenue of $19.2 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated net sales of $17.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 29% lower than the prior-year quarter's $27.0 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 $0.18. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.02 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.18 for Q4 were 36% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.28 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 54.9%, 210 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.8%, 1,550 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 25.9%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $22.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.10.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $103.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.63.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 105 members out of 107 rating the stock outperform, and two members rating it underperform. Among 14 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 13 give Nova Measuring Instruments a green thumbs-up, and one gives it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Nova Measuring Instruments is buy, with an average price target of $10.00.

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