Express (NYSE: EXPR) reported earnings on Aug. 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended July 28 (Q2), Express missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins shrank, operating margins dropped, net margins grew.

Revenue details
 Express booked revenue of $454.9 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $467.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $446.0 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 $0.18. The 12 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.17 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.18 for Q2 were 29% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.14 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 32.2%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.9%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.5%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $509.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.21 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.84.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 41 members out of 47 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 12 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 10 give Express a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Express is outperform, with an average price target of $24.08.

If you're invested in retailers like Express, you should check out the concept that is The Motley Fool's top stock for 2012. Its founder wrote the book on big box retailing, and it's growing in increasingly important international markets. Click here for instant access to this free report.