National Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), National Instruments met expectations on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
National Instruments recorded revenue of $278.1 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $278.5 million. Sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $250.0 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.21. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.23 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.20 for Q4 were 38% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.32 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 75.8%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.7%, 700 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.7%, 650 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $270.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.23.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.16 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.09.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 390 members out of 411 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 201 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 200 give National Instruments 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 National Instruments is outperform, with an average price target of $33.13.