Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) reported earnings on Oct. 18. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Boston Scientific missed slightly on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped and GAAP earnings per share dropped to a loss.

Gross margins grew, operating margins grew, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 Boston Scientific logged revenue of $1.74 billion. The 21 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected net sales of $1.77 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 7.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.87 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 $0.10. The 21 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.11 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.52 for Q3 against $0.09 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 66.2%, 400 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.8%, 220 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -41.8%, 4,940 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.79 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.11.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.25 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.43.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 751 members out of 937 rating the stock outperform, and 186 members rating it underperform. Among 186 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 166 give Boston Scientific a green thumbs-up, and 20 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Boston Scientific is hold, with an average price target of $6.10.