VMware (NYSE: VMW) reported earnings on Jan. 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), VMware beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew significantly and GAAP earnings per share didn't change.

Gross margins grew, operating margins contracted, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 VMware tallied revenue of $1.29 billion. The 37 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $1.28 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 22% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.06 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 $0.81. The 40 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.78 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.47 were the same as the prior-year quarter.

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 85.2%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.5%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.9%, 300 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.25 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.74.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.43 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.24.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,133 members out of 2,313 rating the stock outperform, and 180 members rating it underperform. Among 535 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 499 give VMware a green thumbs-up, and 36 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on VMware is outperform, with an average price target of $107.39.

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