WuXi PharmaTech (NYSE: WX) reported earnings on March 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins expanded, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
 WuXi PharmaTech booked revenue of $125.7 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $124.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $108.5 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 $0.38. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.31 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.38 for Q4 were 23% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.31 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.33 for Q4 were 38% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.24 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 38.8%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.8%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.0%, 260 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $131.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.32.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $570.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.46.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 323 members out of 343 rating the stock outperform, and 20 members rating it underperform. Among 79 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 75 give WuXi PharmaTech a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on WuXi PharmaTech is outperform, with an average price target of $18.87.

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