Alon USA Energy (NYSE: ALJ) reported earnings on Nov. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 Alon USA Energy tallied revenue of $2.36 billion. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $2.18 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.04 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 $0.84. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.59 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.69 for Q3 were 50% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.46 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 7.5%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.9%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.8%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.16 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.37.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.60 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.74.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 366 members out of 385 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 97 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 91 give Alon USA Energy a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Alon USA Energy is hold, with an average price target of $12.80.

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