Nordson (Nasdaq: NDSN) reported earnings on Feb. 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Jan. 31 (Q1), Nordson met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased significantly. Non-GAAP earnings per share didn't move. GAAP earnings per share grew.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Nordson reported revenue of $347.0 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $348.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $275.8 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 $0.62. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.68 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.62 were the same as the prior-year quarter. GAAP EPS of $0.65 for Q1 were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.58 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 56.8%, 460 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.7%, 310 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.1%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $386.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.91.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.61 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.91.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 164 members out of 171 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 45 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 43 give Nordson a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Nordson is outperform, with an average price target of $69.67.

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