Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) reported earnings on July 18. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended June 30 (Q2), Abbott Laboratories met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins improved, net margins shrank.

Revenue details
 Abbott Laboratories reported revenue of $9.81 billion. The 17 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw sales of $9.84 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $9.62 billion.

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 $1.23. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.22 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.08 for Q2 were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.23 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 63.3%, 320 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 24.4%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.6%, 260 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $9.89 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.28.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $39.71 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.05.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,560 members out of 2,651 rating the stock outperform, and 93 members rating it underperform. Among 679 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 661 give Abbott Laboratories a green thumbs-up, and 18 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Abbott Laboratories is outperform, with an average price target of $64.33.

Can your portfolio provide you with enough income to last through retirement? You'll need more than Abbott Laboratories. Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks." Click here for instant access to this free report.