Generac Holdings (NYSE: GNRC) reported earnings on Oct. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 Generac Holdings reported revenue of $300.6 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected net sales of $297.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $239.3 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 $0.78. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.75 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.37 for Q3 were 33% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.55 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 38.5%, 150 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.7%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.5%, 710 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $279.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.72.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.15 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.05.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 50 members out of 56 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 11 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 11 give Generac Holdings a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Generac Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $26.50.