MTS Systems (Nasdaq: MTSC) reported earnings on Nov. 15. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 29 (Q4), MTS Systems missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 MTS Systems tallied revenue of $137.8 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $146.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $131.6 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 $0.94. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.02 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.94 for Q4 were 1.1% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.95 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 41.7%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.7%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.1%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $138.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.00.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $594.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $4.33.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 69 members out of 77 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 19 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 17 give MTS Systems a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on MTS Systems is buy, with an average price target of $68.00.

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