Brooks Automation (Nasdaq: BRKS) reported earnings on Nov. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 Brooks Automation logged revenue of $119.4 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw a top line of $116.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $131.0 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 $0.08. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.02 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.77 for Q4 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.18 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 32.3%, 410 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 2.0%, 470 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 97.3%, 8,810 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $114.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.01.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $529.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.38.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 176 members out of 195 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 56 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 50 give Brooks Automation a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Brooks Automation is hold, with an average price target of $10.21.

Can your portfolio provide you with enough income to last through retirement? You'll need more than Brooks Automation. 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.