Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) reported earnings on April 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Northrop Grumman met expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
 Northrop Grumman notched revenue of $6.19 billion. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $6.25 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $6.73 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 $1.96. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.59 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.96 for Q1 were 10% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.78 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 21.9%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.8%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.2%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $6.25 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.63.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $25.08 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.57.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 792 members out of 853 rating the stock outperform, and 61 members rating it underperform. Among 227 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 216 give Northrop Grumman a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Northrop Grumman is hold, with an average price target of $60.59.

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