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

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 BP notched revenue of $90.59 billion. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $70.58 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $95.38 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 $1.63. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.32 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.28 for Q3 were 7.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.26 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 14.8%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.1%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.0%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $89.09 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.63.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $349.45 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.57.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 4,914 members out of 5,237 rating the stock outperform, and 323 members rating it underperform. Among 1,090 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 1,041 give BP a green thumbs-up, and 49 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on BP is outperform, with an average price target of $48.53.

Are you missing a major story in the energy space? Read about "One Stock to Own Before Nat Gas Act 2011 Becomes Law." Click here for instant access to this free report.