Colfax (NYSE: CFX) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 28 (Q3), Colfax missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
 Colfax booked revenue of $954.4 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for sales of $977.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $170.3 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 $0.33. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.31 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.04 for Q3 were 50% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.08 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 30.2%, 540 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.4%, 660 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.0%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.05 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.49.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.96 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.39.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 268 members out of 281 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 67 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 64 give Colfax 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 Colfax is hold, with an average price target of $35.00.