PPL (NYSE: PPL) reported earnings on Nov. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 PPL tallied revenue of $2.40 billion. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $3.05 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 23% lower than the prior-year quarter's $3.12 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 $0.72. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.68 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.61 for Q3 were 20% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.76 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 42.9%, 780 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 27.6%, 340 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.8%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.93 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.51.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $11.64 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.36.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 407 members out of 418 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 90 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 89 give PPL a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on PPL is outperform, with an average price target of $30.93.

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