United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) reported earnings on May 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), United Parcel Service met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
United Parcel Service reported revenue of $13.14 billion. The 17 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $13.26 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $12.58 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 $1.00. The 21 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $1.02 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.00 for Q1 were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.88 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 23.0%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.9%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.4%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $13.73 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.18.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $55.84 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.84.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,544 members out of 1,754 rating the stock outperform, and 210 members rating it underperform. Among 454 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 412 give United Parcel Service a green thumbs-up, and 42 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United Parcel Service is outperform, with an average price target of $89.22.

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