CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) reported earnings on May 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), CVS Caremark beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
CVS Caremark chalked up revenue of $30.80 billion. The 18 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $30.29 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 19% higher than the prior-year quarter's $25.88 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 $0.65. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.63 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.59 for Q1 were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.52 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 16.6%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.6%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.5%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $30.00 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.74.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $121.53 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.29.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,641 members out of 1,708 rating the stock outperform, and 67 members rating it underperform. Among 415 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 406 give CVS Caremark 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 CVS Caremark is outperform, with an average price target of $48.68.

While many retailers continue to struggle in these tough economic time, a select few are changing the face of the business, and reaping outsized rewards. Is CVS Caremark 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.