Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO) reported earnings on April 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 30 (Q1), Thermo Fisher Scientific met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins shrank, net margins increased.

Revenue details
Thermo Fisher Scientific logged revenue of $3.19 billion. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $3.17 billion 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 $1.37. The 16 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.29 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.37 for Q1 were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.17 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.) GAAP EPS of $0.93 for Q1 were 24% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.75 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 43.6%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.8%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.5%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.24 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.34.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $12.97 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.40.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 552 members out of 573 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 164 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 161 give Thermo Fisher Scientific a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Thermo Fisher Scientific is buy, with an average price target of $78.71.

Looking for alternatives to Thermo Fisher Scientific? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.