PerkinElmer (NYSE: PKI) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased and GAAP loss per share dropped.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 PerkinElmer notched revenue of $577.0 million. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $578.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 6.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $540.2 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 $0.65. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.65 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.14 for Q4 compared to -$0.71 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 45.7%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.3%, 800 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -2.8%, 1,200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $533.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.48.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.24 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.32.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 117 members out of 130 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 42 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 39 give PerkinElmer a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on PerkinElmer is outperform, with an average price target of $34.50.

Looking for alternatives to PerkinElmer? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.