Ascent Capital Group (Nasdaq: ASCMA) reported earnings on May 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Ascent Capital Group beat expectations on revenue and missed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margin dropped, operating margin expanded, and net margin shrank.

Revenue details
Ascent Capital Group logged revenue of $81.9 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw a top line of $78.4 million on the same basis. GAAP-reported sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $73.9 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 -$0.20. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.10 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.37 for Q1 against $3.88 per share for 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 86.5%, 110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.9%, 860 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -6.4%, 8,110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $78 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.01.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $312.9 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.33.

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