Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR) reported earnings on Nov. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q4), Emerson Electric met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Emerson Electric booked revenue of $6.70 billion. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $6.68 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $6.55 billion.

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 $1.11. The 17 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.05 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.39 for Q4 were 61% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.01 per share. (The prior-year quarter included $0.03 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 41.0%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.5%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.2%, 740 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $5.39 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.63.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $25.12 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.66.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,379 members out of 1,405 rating the stock outperform, and 26 members rating it underperform. Among 362 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 354 give Emerson Electric a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Emerson Electric is outperform, with an average price target of $55.33.

Can your portfolio provide you with enough income to last through retirement? You'll need more than Emerson Electric. Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks." Click here for instant access to this free report.