Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (NYSE: LH) reported earnings on April 19. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew slightly. Non-GAAP earnings per share grew. GAAP earnings per share dropped.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings tallied revenue of $1.44 billion. The 19 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see net sales of $1.45 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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 $1.74. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.77 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.74 for Q1 were 8.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.61 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.56 for Q1 were 4.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.63 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 39.7%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.7%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.2%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.46 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.81.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.79 billion. The average EPS estimate is $7.11.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 668 members out of 690 rating the stock outperform, and 22 members rating it underperform. Among 211 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 208 give Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings 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 Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $94.21.

Is Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings the best health care stock for you? Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," including one above-average health care logistics company. Click here for instant access to this free report.