FreightCar America (Nasdaq: RAIL) reported earnings on Nov. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 FreightCar America logged revenue of $160.6 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see a top line of $150.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 23% higher than the prior-year quarter's $130.1 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 $0.40. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.33 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.40 for Q3 against -$0.20 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 10.0%, 300 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.9%, 350 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.0%, 490 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $145.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.30.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $773.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.90.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 738 members out of 779 rating the stock outperform, and 41 members rating it underperform. Among 210 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 202 give FreightCar America 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 FreightCar America is hold, with an average price target of $23.13.