Eaton (NYSE: ETN) reported earnings on Oct. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins increased, operating margins dropped, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
 Eaton booked revenue of $3.95 billion. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated net sales of $4.22 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.2% lower than the prior-year quarter's $4.12 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 $1.07. The 18 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $1.10 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.02 for Q3 were 4.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.07 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 30.5%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.5%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.7%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $4.20 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.11.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $16.43 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.29.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 866 members out of 888 rating the stock outperform, and 22 members rating it underperform. Among 264 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 262 give Eaton 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 Eaton is outperform, with an average price target of $52.68.

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