Forrester Research (Nasdaq: FORR) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Forrester Research missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins shrank, operating margins dropped, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
 Forrester Research recorded revenue of $68.5 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see net sales of $70.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $69.8 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 $0.26. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.22 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.45 for Q3 were 80% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.25 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 62.4%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.5%, 350 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.1%, 690 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $78.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.34.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $297.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.13.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 68 members out of 76 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 26 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 24 give Forrester Research 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 Forrester Research is outperform, with an average price target of $34.25.

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