Mercury Computer Systems (Nasdaq: MRCY) reported earnings on Oct. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q1), Mercury Computer Systems beat slightly on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Mercury Computer Systems booked revenue of $49.4 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected net sales of $48.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $49.1 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 -$0.13. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.25 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.24 for Q1 compared to $0.09 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 41.3%, 1,960 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -12.1%, 1,940 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -14.6%, 2,000 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $65.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.12.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $257.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.21.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 45 members out of 106 rating the stock outperform, and 61 members rating it underperform. Among 41 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 20 give Mercury Computer Systems a green thumbs-up, and 21 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Mercury Computer Systems is hold, with an average price target of $16.86.