Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) reported earnings on Nov. 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q4), Rockwell Automation beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
 Rockwell Automation logged revenue of $1.66 billion. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $1.62 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.65 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 $1.45. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.33 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.38 for Q4 were 0.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.39 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 39.3%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 16.1%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.7%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.48 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.27.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.47 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.49.

Investor sentiment

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Rockwell Automation is outperform, with an average price target of $78.71.

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