Six Flags Entertainment (NYSE: SIX) reported earnings on Oct. 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Six Flags Entertainment missed estimates on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Six Flags Entertainment chalked up revenue of $485.1 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $513.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $475.6 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 $4.46. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $2.88 per share. GAAP EPS of $4.46 for Q3 were 30% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.43 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 65.5%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 47.1%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 52.2%, 1,160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $138.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.42.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.10 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.70.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 30 members out of 45 rating the stock outperform, and 15 members rating it underperform. Among 11 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), seven give Six Flags Entertainment a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Six Flags Entertainment is outperform, with an average price target of $66.00.

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