Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE: CRL) reported earnings on May 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Charles River Laboratories International met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
Charles River Laboratories International recorded revenue of $286.0 million. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for sales of $286.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $285.8 million.

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 $0.70. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.65 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.54 for Q1 were 6.9% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.58 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.07 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 36.4%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.3%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.2%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $289.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.69.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.16 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.68.

Investor sentiment
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Charles River Laboratories International is hold, with an average price target of $37.72.

Over the decades, small-cap stocks, like Charles River Laboratories International have provided market-beating returns, provided they're value priced and have solid businesses. Read about a pair of companies with a lock on their markets in "Too Small to Fail: Two Small Caps the Government Won't Let Go Broke." Click here for instant access to this free report.