Group 1 Automotive (NYSE: GPI) reported earnings on April 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Group 1 Automotive beat expectations on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margin dropped, operating margin grew, and net margin expanded.

Revenue details
Group 1 Automotive booked revenue of $1.66 billion. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $1.59 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.41 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 $0.97. The 11 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.88 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.97 for Q1 were 47% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.66 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 15.6%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.2%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.4%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.72 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.21.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.84 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.38.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 96 members out of 135 rating the stock outperform, and 39 members rating it underperform. Among 47 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 38 give Group 1 Automotive a green thumbs-up, and nine give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Group 1 Automotive is outperform, with an average price target of $59.36.

While many retailers continue to struggle in these tough economic times, a select few are changing the face of the business, and reaping outsized rewards. Is Group 1 Automotive the right stock for you? Read "The Death of Wal-Mart: The Real Cash Kings Changing the Face of Retail" and decide. Click here for instant access to this free report.