Methode Electronics (NYSE: MEI) reported earnings on Feb. 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Jan. 26 (Q3), Methode Electronics beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Methode Electronics reported revenue of $123.0 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $107.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 9.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $112.0 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 $0.09. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.02 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.09 for Q3 were 350% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.02 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 16.3%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.5%, 130 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.7%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $121.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.20.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $475.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.45.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 141 members out of 152 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 51 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 50 give Methode Electronics a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Methode Electronics is outperform, with an average price target of $11.00.

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