Cerus (Nasdaq: CERS) reported earnings on Feb. 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew slightly. Non-GAAP loss per share shrank. GAAP loss per share dropped.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Cerus tallied revenue of $10.5 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw a top line of $9.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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 -$0.03. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.08 per share. Non-GAAP EPS were -$0.03 for Q4 against -$0.16 per share for the prior-year quarter. GAAP EPS were -$0.07 for Q4 versus -$0.16 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 51.4%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -34.2%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -16.3%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $10.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.09.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $43.7 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.43.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 131 members out of 151 rating the stock outperform, and 20 members rating it underperform. Among 36 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 26 give Cerus a green thumbs-up, and 10 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Cerus is buy, with an average price target of $5.30.

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