Novartis (SWX: NOVN) reported earnings on April 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Novartis met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins dropped, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
 Novartis logged revenue of $14.02 billion. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $13.99 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 $1.32. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.28 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.32 for Q1 were 3.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.27 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.97 for Q1 were 2.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.95 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 67.6%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.4%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 16.9%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $14.34 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.34.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $57.32 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.01.

Investor sentiment

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Novartis is outperform, with an average price target of $70.42.

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