American Science & Engineering (Nasdaq: ASEI) reported earnings on Feb. 11. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q3), American Science & Engineering beat expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped and GAAP earnings per share contracted.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 American Science & Engineering tallied revenue of $50.8 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $49.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $57.9 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 $0.73. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.53 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.73 for Q3 were 13% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.84 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 44.7%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.1%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.0%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $48.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.48.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $198.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.24.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 970 members out of 999 rating the stock outperform, and 29 members rating it underperform. Among 309 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 303 give American Science & Engineering a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on American Science & Engineering is hold, with an average price target of $63.40.

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