Sysco (NYSE: SYY) reported earnings on Feb. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q2), Sysco beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded, and GAAP earnings per share dropped.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
Sysco reported revenue of $10.24 billion. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $10.06 billion. Sales were 9.2% higher than the prior-year quarter's $9.38 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.46. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.45 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.43 for Q2 were 2.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.44 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 18%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.2%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.4%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $10.38 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.47.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $41.90 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.02.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,278 members out of 1,325 rating the stock outperform, and 47 members rating it underperform. Among 451 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 448 give Sysco a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Sysco is hold, with an average price target of $30.

While many retailers continue to struggle in these tough economic time, a select few are changing the face of the business, and reaping outsized rewards. Is Sysco the right stock for you? Read "The Death of Wal-Mart: The Real Cash Kings Changing the Face of Retail" and decide. Click here for instant access to this free report.