McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) reported earnings on April 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), McDonald's met expectations on revenues and earnings per share.

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

Gross margins improved, operating margins improved, and net margins dropped.

Revenue details
McDonald's reported revenue of $6.55 billion. The 22 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $6.55 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 7.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $6.11 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 $1.23. The 25 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.23 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.23 for Q1 were 7.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.15 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 38.5%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 30.0%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.3%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $7.17 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.43.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $28.44 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.71.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 5,534 members out of 5,820 rating the stock outperform, and 286 members rating it underperform. Among 1,433 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 1,388 give McDonald's a green thumbs-up, and 45 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on McDonald's is outperform, with an average price target of $107.30.

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