Iridium Communications (Nasdaq: IRDM) reported earnings on Nov. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Iridium Communications missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
Iridium Communications logged revenue of $100.4 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $104.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.6% lower than the prior-year quarter's $102.1 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 $0.23. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.25 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.24 for Q3 were 60% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.15 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 71.9%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 31.5%, 780 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.8%, 670 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $99.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.23.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $394.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.87.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 187 members out of 195 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 52 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 49 give Iridium Communications a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Iridium Communications is outperform, with an average price target of $10.50.