NxStage Medical (Nasdaq: NXTM) reported earnings on Feb. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded and GAAP loss per share dropped.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
NxStage Medical reported revenue of $57.0 million. The 12 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $56.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $49.8 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 -$0.08. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.09 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.08 for Q4 compared to -$0.13 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 37.1%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -5.6%, 480 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -8.0%, 460 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $56.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.10.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $243.5 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.31.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 141 members out of 175 rating the stock outperform, and 34 members rating it underperform. Among 60 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 49 give NxStage Medical a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on NxStage Medical is outperform, with an average price target of $26.13.

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