Cerner (Nasdaq: CERN) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 29 (Q3), Cerner beat expectations on revenues and beat slightly on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins expanded, net margins increased.

Revenue details
 Cerner tallied revenue of $676.5 million. The 19 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $652.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 21% higher than the prior-year quarter's $560.2 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 $0.60. The 22 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.59 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.56 for Q3 were 24% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.45 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 77.9%, 260 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.8%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.6%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $688.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.64.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.62 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.35.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 399 members out of 441 rating the stock outperform, and 42 members rating it underperform. Among 130 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 119 give Cerner a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Cerner is outperform, with an average price target of $80.81.