Aspen Technology (Nasdaq: AZPN) reported earnings on April 30. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q3), Aspen Technology beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Aspen Technology reported revenue of $79.4 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $72.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 29% higher than the prior-year quarter's $61.3 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 $0.14. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.05 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.14 for Q3 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.01 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.11 for Q3 versus -$0.01 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 84.1%, 440 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.5%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.2%, much better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $78.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.07.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $300.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.34.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 68 members out of 101 rating the stock outperform, and 33 members rating it underperform. Among 25 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 16 give Aspen Technology a green thumbs-up, and nine give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Aspen Technology is buy, with an average price target of $33.40.

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