CSX (NYSE: CSX) reported earnings on Oct. 16. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 28 (Q3), CSX met expectations on revenues and beat slightly on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue shrank slightly and GAAP earnings per share increased.

Gross margins increased, operating margins dropped, net margins were steady.

Revenue details
 CSX logged revenue of $2.89 billion. The 21 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $2.93 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.96 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 $0.44. The 27 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.43 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.44 for Q3 were 2.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.43 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 38.8%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 29.5%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.7%, about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.97 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.44.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $11.89 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.79.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,984 members out of 2,058 rating the stock outperform, and 74 members rating it underperform. Among 418 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 406 give CSX a green thumbs-up, and 12 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on CSX is outperform, with an average price target of $25.98.

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