Babcock & Wilcox (NYSE: BWC) reported earnings on May 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
Babcock & Wilcox reported revenue of $765.9 million. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for revenue of $769.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $691.3 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 $0.39. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.38 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.39 for Q1 were 255% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.11 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 23.9%, 560 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.3%, 540 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.1%, 410 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $809.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.42.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.28 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.73.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 82 members out of 82 rating the stock outperform, and members rating it underperform. Among 16 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 16 give Babcock & Wilcox a green thumbs-up, and none give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Babcock & Wilcox is outperform, with an average price target of $32.32.