Casey's General Stores (Nasdaq: CASY) reported earnings yesterday. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Jan. 31 (Q3), Casey's General Stores missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins shrank, operating margins were steady, net margins increased.

Revenue details
Casey's General Stores reported revenue of $1.58 billion. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated sales of $1.62 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.37 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 $0.43. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.44 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.43 for Q3 were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.34 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 14.5%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 2.2%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.1%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.69 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.64.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.94 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.09.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 112 members out of 127 rating the stock outperform, and 15 members rating it underperform. Among 42 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 39 give Casey's General Stores a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Casey's General Stores is outperform, with an average price target of $55.03.

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