Canadian Natural Resources (TSX: CNQ) reported earnings on Nov. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 Canadian Natural Resources reported revenue of $3.59 billion. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $3.48 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.17 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 $0.32. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.51 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.34 for Q3 were 53% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.73 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 52.6%, 430 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.6%, 2,230 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.2%, 1,520 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.77 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.56.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $14.76 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.87.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,486 members out of 1,519 rating the stock outperform, and 33 members rating it underperform. Among 350 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 346 give Canadian Natural Resources a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Canadian Natural Resources is outperform, with an average price target of $41.75.

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