Molina Healthcare (NYSE: MOH) reported earnings on Oct. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Molina Healthcare beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew significantly and GAAP earnings per share contracted significantly. The profit was a surprise, as analysts had predicted a loss.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Molina Healthcare chalked up revenue of $1.54 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $1.51 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 31% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.18 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 $0.07. The 13 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.11 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.07 for Q3 were 83% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.41 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 14.6%, 390 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 0.5%, 240 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.2%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.56 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.19.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.98 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.33.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 131 members out of 144 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 39 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 36 give Molina Healthcare a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Molina Healthcare is hold, with an average price target of $27.18.