Methode Electronics (NYSE: MEI) reported earnings on Dec. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Oct. 27 (Q2), Methode Electronics beat expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Methode Electronics chalked up revenue of $129.8 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for sales of $122.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $115.9 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 $0.62. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.12 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.62 for Q2 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.01 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 17.2%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 5.5%, 320 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 18.0%, 1,770 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $108.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.02.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $476.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.45.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 143 members out of 154 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 46 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 46 give Methode Electronics a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Methode Electronics is hold, with an average price target of $12.00.

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