HFF (NYSE: HF) reported earnings on Nov. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 HFF booked revenue of $69.0 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see net sales of $67.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $63.9 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 $0.26. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.28 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.27 for Q3 were 6.9% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.29 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 41.8%, 670 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.9%, 450 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.6%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $86.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.40.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $273.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.06.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 22 members out of 47 rating the stock outperform, and 25 members rating it underperform. Among 14 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), six give HFF 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 HFF is buy, with an average price target of $18.00.