Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN) reported earnings on Nov. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Oct. 27 (Q3), Nordstrom met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
Nordstrom booked revenue of $2.71 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $2.72 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.48 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 $0.71. The 24 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.72 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.71 for Q3 were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.59 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 36.8%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.9%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.2%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.65 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.33.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $11.86 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.50.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 507 members out of 650 rating the stock outperform, and 143 members rating it underperform. Among 196 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 172 give Nordstrom a green thumbs-up, and 24 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Nordstrom is outperform, with an average price target of $60.64.

If you're invested in retailers like Nordstrom, you should check out the concept that is The Motley Fool's top stock for 2012. Its founder wrote the book on big box retailing, and it's growing in increasingly important international markets. Click here for instant access to this free report.