Pacira Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PCRX) reported earnings on Nov. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 Pacira Pharmaceuticals chalked up revenue of $8.5 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for net sales of $7.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $4.0 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 -$0.49. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged -$0.44 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.49 for Q3 versus -$0.55 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 -9.4%, 2,450 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -185.1%, 3,570 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -185.5%, 5,480 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $11.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.36.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $40.0 million. The average EPS estimate is -$1.54.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 20 members out of 30 rating the stock outperform, and 10 members rating it underperform. Among eight CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), four give Pacira Pharmaceuticals a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Pacira Pharmaceuticals is buy, with an average price target of $21.20.