Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) reported earnings on Jan. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Quest Diagnostics missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 Quest Diagnostics logged revenue of $1.77 billion. The 20 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $1.81 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.6% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.88 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 $1.01. The 23 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.06 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.34 for Q4 were 71% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.18 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 39.5%, 300 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.9%, 310 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.1%, 700 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.91 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.12.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.55 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.83.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 545 members out of 579 rating the stock outperform, and 34 members rating it underperform. Among 188 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 182 give Quest Diagnostics 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 Quest Diagnostics is hold, with an average price target of $62.08.

Is Quest Diagnostics the best health care stock for you? Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," including one above-average health care logistics company. Click here for instant access to this free report.