Marten Transport (Nasdaq: MRTN) reported earnings on April 16. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Marten Transport beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Marten Transport recorded revenue of $164.5 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $161.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $151.5 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 $0.32. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.27 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.32 for Q1 were 28% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.25 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 23.3%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.2%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.4%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $168.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.36.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $681.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.38.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 41 members out of 51 rating the stock outperform, and 10 members rating it underperform. Among 16 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 13 give Marten Transport a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Marten Transport is outperform, with an average price target of $22.43.

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