FEI (Nasdaq: FEIC) reported earnings on Oct. 30. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 FEI reported revenue of $221.8 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $216.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $205.3 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 $0.71. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.67 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.71 for Q3 were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.63 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 47.0%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.3%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.1%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $229.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.77.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $885.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.82.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 264 members out of 273 rating the stock outperform, and nine members rating it underperform. Among 71 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 70 give FEI a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on FEI is outperform, with an average price target of $58.70.