Nordson (Nasdaq: NDSN) reported earnings on May 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended April 30 (Q2), Nordson met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 Nordson logged revenue of $382.1 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $382.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 21% higher than the prior-year quarter's $315.2 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 $0.84. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.84 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.84 for Q2 were 5.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.80 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%, 400 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.5%, 410 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.3%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $414.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.05.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.59 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.68.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 161 members out of 168 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 43 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 42 give Nordson 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 Nordson is hold, with an average price target of $69.86.

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