Becton, Dickinson (NYSE: BDX) reported earnings on Nov. 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q4), Becton, Dickinson met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins shrank, operating margins shrank, net margins grew.

Revenue details
 Becton, Dickinson booked revenue of $1.97 billion. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $1.96 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.1% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.05 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 $1.42. The 18 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.40 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.42 for Q4 were 4.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.36 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 50.9%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.8%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.7%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.87 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.28.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.98 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.85.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,131 members out of 1,152 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 361 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 359 give Becton, Dickinson 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 Becton, Dickinson is hold, with an average price target of $79.63.

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