Group 1 Automotive (NYSE: GPI) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Group 1 Automotive beat expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Group 1 Automotive reported revenue of $1.98 billion. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted net sales of $1.90 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.57 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 $1.32. The 11 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.31 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.32 for Q3 were 45% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.91 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 14.7%, 110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.4%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.6%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.83 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.16.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.26 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.69.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 97 members out of 136 rating the stock outperform, and 39 members rating it underperform. Among 47 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 40 give Group 1 Automotive a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Group 1 Automotive is outperform, with an average price target of $67.10.

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