NetScout Systems (Nasdaq: NTCT) reported earnings on Oct. 18. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q2), NetScout Systems beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 NetScout Systems logged revenue of $84.5 million. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $81.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $72.6 million.

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

EPS details
 EPS came in at $0.34. The 12 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.26 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.23 for Q2 were 35% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.17 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 80.0%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.3%, 550 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.7%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $91.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.37.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $349.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.28.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 124 members out of 135 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 28 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 25 give NetScout Systems 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 NetScout Systems is outperform, with an average price target of $26.17.

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