Cloud Peak Energy (NYSE: CLD) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Cloud Peak Energy beat expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Cloud Peak Energy reported revenue of $425.9 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for revenue of $393.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $407.0 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 $0.80. The 13 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.48 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.39 for Q3 were 239% higher 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 29.1%, 440 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.2%, 440 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 20.0%, 1,400 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $405.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.50.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.51 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.78.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 186 members out of 193 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 46 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 44 give Cloud Peak Energy a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Cloud Peak Energy is hold, with an average price target of $19.57.

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