Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) reported earnings on Dec. 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 1 (Q3), Rite Aid met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue shrank slightly and GAAP earnings per share grew. The non-GAAP profit was a surprise, as analysts had predicted a loss.

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 Rite Aid reported revenue of $6.24 billion. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $6.28 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.2% lower than the prior-year quarter's $6.31 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 $0.04. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.02 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.07 for Q3 against -$0.06 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 29.0%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.2%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.0%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $6.42 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.04.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $25.35 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.14.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 813 members out of 975 rating the stock outperform, and 162 members rating it underperform. Among 149 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 106 give Rite Aid a green thumbs-up, and 43 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Rite Aid is hold, with an average price target of $1.70.

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