Nordson (Nasdaq: NDSN) reported earnings on Aug. 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended July 31 (Q3), Nordson beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins improved, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 Nordson booked revenue of $379.9 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $357.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 22% higher than the prior-year quarter's $312.3 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 $1.06. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.99 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.03 for Q3 were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.82 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 58.8%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 25.9%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.6%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $417.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.02.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.39 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.53.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 155 members out of 163 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 40 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 37 give Nordson a green thumbs-up, and three 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 $62.60.