Plantronics (NYSE: PLT) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins increased, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
Plantronics reported revenue of $183.2 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $182.2 million. Sales were 0.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $181.6 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.75. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.67 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.71 for Q3 were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.64 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 52.5%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.4%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 16.9%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $177.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.66.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $712.2 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.60.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 127 members out of 141 rating the stock outperform, and 14 members rating it underperform. Among 58 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 55 give Plantronics 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 Plantronics is outperform, with an average price target of $40.71.

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