Medidata Solutions (Nasdaq: MDSO) reported earnings on April 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Medidata Solutions beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Medidata Solutions tallied revenue of $63.3 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for sales of $61.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $50.4 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 $0.35. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.23 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.35 for Q1 were 59% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.22 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.22 for Q1 were 47% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.15 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 72.9%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.2%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.0%, 150 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $65.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.26.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $267.2 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.12.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 52 members out of 60 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 15 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 13 give Medidata Solutions 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 Medidata Solutions is outperform, with an average price target of $59.67.

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