Helmerich & Payne (NYSE: HP) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q1), Helmerich & Payne beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
Helmerich & Payne booked revenue of $732.6 million. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $721.9 million. Sales were 23% higher than the prior-year quarter's $594.6 million.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at $1.32. The 18 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.15 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.32 for Q1 were 37% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.96 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 46.6%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 30.8%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.7%, 220 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $745.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.20.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.05 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.97.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,001 members out of 1,075 rating the stock outperform, and 74 members rating it underperform. Among 253 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 243 give Helmerich & Payne 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 Helmerich & Payne is outperform, with an average price target of $66.35.

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