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

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 28 (Q3), ViaSat beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew significantly and GAAP earnings per share shrank to a loss. The non-GAAP profit was a surprise, as analysts had predicted a loss.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
ViaSat reported revenue of $286.4 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted net sales of $265.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 40% higher than the prior-year quarter's $205.0 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 $0.04. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged -$0.33 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.47 for Q3 versus $0.12 per share for 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 26.2%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 0.4%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -7.3%, 980 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $286.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.01.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.08 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.54.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 90 members out of 100 rating the stock outperform, and 10 members rating it underperform. Among 26 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 26 give ViaSat 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 ViaSat is hold, with an average price target of $43.64.

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