Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) reported earnings on Oct. 17. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Abbott Laboratories missed slightly on revenues and beat slightly on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Abbott Laboratories reported revenue of $9.77 billion. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $9.93 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $9.82 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 $1.30. The 19 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $1.28 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.21 for Q3 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.19 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 62.2%, 270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.4%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.9%, 1,680 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $10.59 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.51.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $39.73 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.06.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,547 members out of 2,639 rating the stock outperform, and 92 members rating it underperform. Among 660 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 640 give Abbott Laboratories a green thumbs-up, and 20 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Abbott Laboratories is hold, with an average price target of $68.15.

Can your retirement portfolio provide you with enough income to last? You'll need more than Abbott Laboratories. Learn about crafting a smarter retirement plan in "The Shocking Can't-Miss Truth About Your Retirement." Click here for instant access to this free report.