Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE: EL) reported earnings on May 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q3), Estée Lauder Companies missed slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Estée Lauder Companies logged revenue of $2.29 billion. The 17 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $2.33 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 $0.45. The 21 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.33 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.45 for Q3 were 36% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.33 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 80.7%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.6%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.8%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.44 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.26.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $10.22 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.61.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 171 members out of 236 rating the stock outperform, and 65 members rating it underperform. Among 85 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 65 give Estée Lauder Companies a green thumbs-up, and 20 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Estée Lauder Companies is outperform, with an average price target of $70.35.

Looking for alternatives to Estée Lauder Companies? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.