American Science & Engineering (Nasdaq: ASEI) reported earnings on Nov. 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q2), American Science & Engineering missed estimates on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 American Science & Engineering reported revenue of $46.3 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $50.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 16% lower than the prior-year quarter's $54.8 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 $0.76. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.56 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.76 for Q2 were 2.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.74 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 45.4%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.7%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.8%, 130 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $50.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.54.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $202.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.33.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 976 members out of 1,005 rating the stock outperform, and 29 members rating it underperform. Among 301 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 294 give American Science & Engineering a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on American Science & Engineering is outperform, with an average price target of $62.80.

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