Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) reported earnings on May 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q4), Alliant Techsystems beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Alliant Techsystems logged revenue of $1.15 billion. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $1.09 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.31 billion.

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 $2.22. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $1.97 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $2.22 for Q4 were 7.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.40 per share. GAAP EPS of $2.23 for Q4 were 19% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.87 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 21.1%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.5%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.3%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.03 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.87.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.15 billion. The average EPS estimate is $7.08.

Investor sentiment

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Alliant Techsystems is hold, with an average price target of $66.09.

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