Dole Food (NYSE: DOLE) reported earnings yesterday. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 24 (Q1), Dole Food missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins shrank, operating margins dropped, and net margins improved.

Revenue details
Dole Food reported revenue of $1.63 billion. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted net sales of $1.68 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.69 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 $0.16. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.34 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.20 for Q1 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.01 per share. (The prior-year quarter included $0.00 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 10.5%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 2.7%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.87 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.81.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.25 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.29.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 80 members rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 17 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 14 give Dole Food a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Dole Food is outperform, with an average price target of $12.21.

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