EMC (NYSE: EMC) reported earnings on Jan. 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), EMC beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
EMC chalked up revenue of $5.6 billion. The 33 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $5.5 billion. Sales were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $4.9 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.49. The 33 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.46 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.38 for Q4 were 33% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.29 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 63.2%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.9%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.9%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $5.1 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.35.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $22.0 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.71.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 3,561 members out of 3,690 rating the stock outperform, and 129 members rating it underperform. Among 789 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 774 give EMC a green thumbs-up, and 15 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on EMC is buy, with an average price target of $29.84.

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