Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SHLD) reported earnings on Aug. 16. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended July 28 (Q2), Sears Holdings missed estimates on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue shrank and GAAP loss per share dropped.

Gross margins grew, operating margins increased, net margins were steady.

Revenue details
 Sears Holdings chalked up revenue of $9.47 billion. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see sales of $9.68 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $10.33 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 -$0.86. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged -$0.96 per share. GAAP EPS were -$1.25 for Q2 versus -$1.37 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 26.7%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -1.2%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -1.4%, about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $8.81 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$2.39.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $39.43 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$2.60.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,479 members out of 2,332 rating the stock outperform, and 853 members rating it underperform. Among 577 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 325 give Sears Holdings a green thumbs-up, and 252 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Sears Holdings is underperform, with an average price target of $29.00.

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