L-3 Communications Holdings (NYSE: LLL) reported earnings on April 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 30 (Q1), L-3 Communications Holdings beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared with the prior-year quarter, revenue was unchanged and GAAP earnings per share expanded.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
L-3 Communications Holdings chalked up revenue of $3.59 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $3.40 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $3.60 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 $2.01. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.85 per share. GAAP EPS of $2.01 for Q1 were 8.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.85 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 10.1%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.1%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.6%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.55 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $2.06.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $14.30 billion. The average EPS estimate is $8.43.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 909 members out of 947 rating the stock outperform, and 38 members rating it underperform. Among 236 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 225 give L-3 Communications Holdings a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on L-3 Communications Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $73.75.

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