FEI (Nasdaq: FEIC) reported earnings on Feb. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 FEI reported revenue of $230.9 million. The 12 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $229.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $213.0 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 $0.77. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.73 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.72 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 47.2%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.1%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.9%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $227.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.71.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $941.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $3.13.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 268 members out of 278 rating the stock outperform, and 10 members rating it underperform. Among 76 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 75 give FEI a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on FEI is outperform, with an average price target of $59.56.

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