Parker Drilling (NYSE: PKD) reported earnings yesterday. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Parker Drilling missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
Parker Drilling notched revenue of $176.6 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $188.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $156.2 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 $0.22. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.17 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.22 for Q1 were 450% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.04 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 46.2%, 1,490 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 27.5%, 1,830 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.9%, 1,180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $195.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.18.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $806.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.73.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 657 members rating the stock outperform and 25 members rating it underperform. Among 112 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 107 give Parker Drilling a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Parker Drilling is outperform, with an average price target of $8.20.

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