Total (NYSE: TOT) reported earnings on Oct. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins dropped, net margins shrank.

Revenue details
Total notched revenue of $58.41 billion. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $56.97 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $55.84 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 $1.73. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.81 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.73 for Q3 were 13% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.98 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 32.7%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.7%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.7%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $55.55 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.89.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $248.81 billion. The average EPS estimate is $7.00.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,407 members out of 1,432 rating the stock outperform, and 25 members rating it underperform. Among 359 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 355 give Total 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 Total is outperform, with an average price target of $55.70.

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