Danaher (NYSE: DHR) reported earnings on Oct. 18. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 28 (Q3), Danaher missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 Danaher logged revenue of $4.42 billion. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $4.51 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $4.52 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 $0.77. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.79 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.77 for Q3 were 4.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.74 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 51.6%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 16.7%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.4%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $4.83 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.82.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $18.16 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.16.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 520 members out of 544 rating the stock outperform, and 24 members rating it underperform. Among 146 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 144 give Danaher a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Danaher is outperform, with an average price target of $60.11.