CBS (NYSE: CBS) reported earnings on May 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), CBS beat expectations on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
CBS logged revenue of $3.92 billion. The 24 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $3.78 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.51 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 $0.53. The 26 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.44 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.54 for Q1 were 86% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.29 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 37.3%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 16.6%, 410 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.3%, 350 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.57 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.59.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $15.10 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.48.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 308 members out of 381 rating the stock outperform, and 73 members rating it underperform. Among 122 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 110 give CBS a green thumbs-up, and 12 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on CBS is outperform, with an average price target of $34.43.