51job (Nasdaq: JOBS) reported earnings on Nov. 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), 51job beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins expanded, operating margins contracted, net margins grew.

Revenue details
51job logged revenue of $59.4 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $56.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $51.1 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 $0.68. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.65 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.61 for Q3 were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.52 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 72.5%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 32.7%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 31.5%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $60.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.67.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $232.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.69.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 382 members out of 401 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 104 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 98 give 51job 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 51job is outperform, with an average price target of $53.05.