Family Dollar Stores (NYSE: FDO) reported earnings on Jan. 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Nov. 26 (Q1), Family Dollar Stores met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased, and earnings per share increased significantly.

Gross margins dropped, operating margins improved, net margins were steady.

Revenue details
Family Dollar Stores recorded revenue of $2.1 billion. The 21 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for net sales of $2.2 billion. Sales were 7.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.0 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.68. The 23 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.68 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.68 for Q1 were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.58 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 35.3%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.3%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.7%, about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods.

Looking ahead
What does the future hold?

Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.5 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.13.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $9.3 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.66.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 543 members out of 592 rating the stock outperform, and 49 members rating it underperform. Among 186 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 173 give Family Dollar Stores a green thumbs-up, and 13 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Family Dollar Stores is hold, with an average price target of $56.26.