Accelrys (Nasdaq: ACCL) reported earnings on Mar. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Accelrys notched revenue of $39.8 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $38.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $34.6 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.08. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.07 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were $0.25 for Q4 versus -$0.10 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 76.1%, 400 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -3.5%, 1,350 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 35.7%, 5,220 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $38.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.07.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $158.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.33.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 48 members out of 65 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 18 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 11 give Accelrys a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Accelrys is buy, with an average price target of $9.38.

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