Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 28 (Q4), Varian Medical Systems beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins were steady, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
 Varian Medical Systems recorded revenue of $756.1 million. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for revenue of $747.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.2% higher than the prior-year quarter's $719.0 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 $1.08. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.03 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.08 for Q4 were 24% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.87 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.08 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 42.7%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.2%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.9%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $662.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.89.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.00 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.12.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 386 members out of 401 rating the stock outperform, and 15 members rating it underperform. Among 112 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 110 give Varian Medical Systems 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 Varian Medical Systems is outperform, with an average price target of $67.71.