Baxter International (NYSE: BAX) reported earnings on Jan. 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Baxter International beat slightly on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Baxter International reported revenue of $3.75 billion. The 15 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $3.71 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.59 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 $1.26. The 22 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.26 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.89 for Q4 were 8.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.82 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 50.8%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.3%, 960 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.2%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.51 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.09.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $14.91 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.82.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 632 members out of 664 rating the stock outperform, and 32 members rating it underperform. Among 222 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 217 give Baxter International a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Baxter International is outperform, with an average price target of $68.12.

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