Nordson (Nasdaq: NDSN) reported earnings on May 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended April 30 (Q2), Nordson missed slightly on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 Nordson chalked up revenue of $315.2 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $321.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.2% lower than the prior-year quarter's $318.9 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 $0.84. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.87 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.80 for Q2 were 16% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.95 per share.

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 60.2%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 24.4%, 500 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 16.5%, 400 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $326.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.86.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.26 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.24.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 156 members out of 164 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 41 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 38 give Nordson 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 Nordson is hold, with an average price target of $58.60.