Six Flags Entertainment (NYSE: SIX) reported earnings on April 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Six Flags Entertainment crushed expectations on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased significantly. GAAP loss per share contracted.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Six Flags Entertainment booked revenue of $87.5 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $68.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 32% higher than the prior-year quarter's $66.4 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 -$1.23. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$1.61 per share. GAAP EPS were -$1.23 for Q1 versus -$2.11 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 -5.3%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -90.8%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -71.4%, much better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $379.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.20.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.13 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.48.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 35 members out of 56 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 15 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 12 give Six Flags Entertainment 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 Six Flags Entertainment is outperform, with an average price target of $75.50.

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