Fluidigm (Nasdaq: FLDM) reported earnings on May 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 Fluidigm booked revenue of $14.5 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $14.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 33% higher than the prior-year quarter's $10.9 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 five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.18 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.14 for Q1 against -$0.33 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 70.7%, 310 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -34.9%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -24.4%, much better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $15.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.18.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $65.1 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.67.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 10 members out of 17 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among seven CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), two give Fluidigm a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Fluidigm is outperform, with an average price target of $19.00.

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