AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), AstraZeneca met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins dropped, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
 AstraZeneca recorded revenue of $6.68 billion. The 18 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for revenue of $6.75 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 19% lower than the prior-year quarter's $8.21 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 $1.51. The 13 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $1.42 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.21 for Q3 were 52% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.54 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 81.1%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 36.1%, 1,850 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 22.8%, 1,950 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $7.33 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.32.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $28.24 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.00.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 44 members out of 49 rating the stock outperform, and five members rating it underperform. Among two CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), two give AstraZeneca a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on AstraZeneca is hold, with an average price target of $46.79.

Can your portfolio provide you with enough income to last through retirement? You'll need more than AstraZeneca. Learn how to maximize your investment income and get "The 3 DOW Stocks Dividend Investors Need." Click here for instant access to this free report.