Acme Packet (Nasdaq: APKT) reported earnings on Feb. 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
Acme Packet reported revenue of $83.0 million. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $84.8 million. Sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $70.2 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.26. The 17 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.27 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.12 for Q4 were 40% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.20 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 81.6%, 230 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.1%, 1,070 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.5%, 1,020 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $81.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.26.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $371.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.26.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 525 members rating the stock outperform, and 71 members rating it underperform. Among 176 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 163 give Acme Packet a green thumbs-up, and 13 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Acme Packet is outperform, with an average price target of $47.13.

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