Altera (Nasdaq: ALTR) reported earnings on Jan. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Altera 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 significantly.

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 Altera logged revenue of $439.4 million. The 28 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $450.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $457.8 million.

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 $0.37. The 26 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.39 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.37 for Q4 were 18% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.45 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 69.7%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 31.4%, 360 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 27.5%, 450 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $462.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.39.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.97 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.75.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 335 members out of 365 rating the stock outperform, and 30 members rating it underperform. Among 107 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 102 give Altera 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 Altera is outperform, with an average price target of $35.09.

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