GenMark Diagnostics (Nasdaq: GNMK) reported earnings on March 12. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly. GAAP loss per share contracted.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 GenMark Diagnostics reported revenue of $9.4 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw sales of $7.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.0 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 -$0.15. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated -$0.21 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.15 for Q4 compared to -$0.27 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 49.6%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -48.7%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -49.7%, much better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $10.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.15.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $35.4 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.76.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with nine members out of 12 rating the stock outperform, and three members rating it underperform. Among six CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), four give GenMark Diagnostics 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 GenMark Diagnostics is outperform, with an average price target of $11.13.

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