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

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q4), Steris beat expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Steris tallied revenue of $390.2 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $377.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $377.8 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 $0.59. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.60 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.76 for Q4 were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.65 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 42.1%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.7%, 330 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.3%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $331.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.49.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.44 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.30.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 97 members out of 114 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 28 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 27 give Steris 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 Steris is outperform, with an average price target of $38.33.

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