LivePerson (Nasdaq: LPSN) reported earnings on May 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins increased, operating margins shrank, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
LivePerson recorded revenue of $36.8 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $37.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 21% higher than the prior-year quarter's $30.4 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 $0.09. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.09 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.06 were the same as the prior-year quarter.

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 78.4%, 500 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.3%, 340 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.5%, 210 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $38.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.09.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $162.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.42.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 452 members out of 476 rating the stock outperform, and 24 members rating it underperform. Among 105 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 101 give LivePerson a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on LivePerson is buy, with an average price target of $17.33.

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