Becton, Dickinson (NYSE: BDX) reported earnings on Aug. 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended June 30 (Q3), Becton, Dickinson missed slightly on revenue and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
Becton, Dickinson logged revenue of $1.98 billion. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for net sales of $2.02 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.01 billion.

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 $1.52. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $1.53 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.59 for Q3 were 3.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.53 per share. (The prior-year quarter included $0.02 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 52.2%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.7%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 16.5%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.95 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.39.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.77 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.35.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,132 members out of 1,152 rating the stock outperform, and 20 members rating it underperform. Among 334 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 332 give Becton, Dickinson a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Becton, Dickinson is hold, with an average price target of $80.69.