Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC) reported earnings on Jan. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know. The 10-second takeaway For the quarter ended Dec. 28 (Q3), Symantec beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share. Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew and GAAP earnings per share contracted. Gross margins dropped, operating margins grew, net margins contracted. Revenue details Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC) recorded revenue of $1.79 billion. The 28 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $1.74 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.72 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 $0.45. The 29 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.38 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.30 for Q3 were 6.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.32 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 84.2%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.1%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.8%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Looking ahead Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.73 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.39. Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.84 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.66. Investor sentiment The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 540 members out of 632 rating the stock outperform, and 92 members rating it underperform. Among 174 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 153 give Symantec a green thumbs-up, and 21 give it a red thumbs-down. Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Symantec is outperform, with an average price target of $20.38. Looking for alternatives to Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC)? 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.

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The article Symantec Beats on Both Top and Bottom Lines originally appeared on Fool.com. Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor of Motley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.