National Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 National Instruments logged revenue of $300.3 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $282.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $278.1 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 $0.23. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.25 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.17 for Q4 were 15% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.20 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 75.2%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.5%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.9%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $268.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.23.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.18 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.16.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 378 members out of 399 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 169 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 167 give National Instruments 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 National Instruments is outperform, with an average price target of $28.00.

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