Aspen Technology (Nasdaq: AZPN) reported earnings on May 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q3), Aspen Technology beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased significantly and GAAP loss per share dropped. The non-GAAP profit was a surprise, as analysts had predicted a loss.

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

Revenue details
 Aspen Technology booked revenue of $61.3 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected net sales of $58.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $52.6 million.

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

EPS details
 EPS came in at $0.01. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.04 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.01 for Q3 compared to -$0.06 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 79.7%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -4.7%, 970 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -0.8%, 1,000 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $62.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.05.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $238.8 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.12.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 58 members out of 85 rating the stock outperform, and 27 members rating it underperform. Among 25 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 14 give Aspen Technology 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 Aspen Technology is buy, with an average price target of $23.67.

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