Express Scripts Holding (Nasdaq: ESRX) reported earnings on April 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Express Scripts Holding beat expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins increased, operating margins dropped, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
Express Scripts Holding reported revenue of $26.06 billion. The 20 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $25.50 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $12.13 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 $0.99. The 23 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.98 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.99 for Q1 were 36% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.73 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.45 for Q1 were 18% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.55 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 7.5%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.2%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.4%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $25.34 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.05.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $100.90 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.26.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 788 members out of 836 rating the stock outperform, and 48 members rating it underperform. Among 224 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 214 give Express Scripts Holding a green thumbs-up, and 10 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Express Scripts Holding is outperform, with an average price target of $64.22.

Is Express Scripts Holding 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.