Golar LNG (Nasdaq: GLNG) reported earnings on Nov. 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
Golar LNG reported revenue of $121.1 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted net sales of $118.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 56% higher than the prior-year quarter's $77.8 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 $0.56. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.56 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.56 for Q3 were 229% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.17 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 81.2%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 57.9%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 36.9%, 1,920 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $119.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.58.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $424.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.70.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 549 members out of 572 rating the stock outperform, and 23 members rating it underperform. Among 147 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 139 give Golar LNG a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Golar LNG is outperform, with an average price target of $50.54.

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