Western Union (NYSE: WU) reported earnings on Oct. 30. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 Western Union tallied revenue of $1.42 billion. The 25 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $1.47 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.41 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 $0.46. The 26 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.45 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.45 for Q3 were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.38 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 44.0%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 25.7%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.0%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.39 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.36.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.76 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.76.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,469 members out of 1,516 rating the stock outperform, and 47 members rating it underperform. Among 382 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 374 give Western Union a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Western Union is outperform, with an average price target of $21.74.

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