Nova Measuring Instruments (Nasdaq: NVMI) reported earnings on Oct. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Nova Measuring Instruments chalked up revenue of $24.4 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $24.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $25.8 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 $0.14. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.10 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.11 for Q3 were 50% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.22 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 53.0%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.3%, 1,000 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.9%, 1,110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $22.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.04.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $96.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.52.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 93 members out of 97 rating the stock outperform, and four members rating it underperform. Among 11 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 10 give Nova Measuring Instruments 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 Nova Measuring Instruments is buy, with an average price target of $11.67.

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