Cerner (Nasdaq: CERN) reported earnings on Feb. 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins contracted, net margins grew.

Revenue details
 Cerner reported revenue of $710.4 million. The 18 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $696.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $604.4 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 $0.67. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.64 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.63 for Q4 were 21% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.52 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 78.4%, 160 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.6%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.7%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $702.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.63.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.98 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.78.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 403 members out of 449 rating the stock outperform, and 46 members rating it underperform. Among 141 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 132 give Cerner a green thumbs-up, and nine give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Cerner is outperform, with an average price target of $82.19.

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