Ross Stores (Nasdaq: ROST) reported earnings on May 17. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended April 28 (Q1), Ross Stores met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Ross Stores logged revenue of $2.36 billion. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $2.34 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.07 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 $0.93. The 22 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.93 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.93 for Q1 were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.74 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 28.8%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.4%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.9%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.28 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.76.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $9.69 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.45.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 339 members out of 372 rating the stock outperform, and 33 members rating it underperform. Among 106 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 100 give Ross Stores a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ross Stores is outperform, with an average price target of $59.85.

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