FreightCar America (Nasdaq: RAIL) reported earnings on May 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 FreightCar America reported revenue of $219.1 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated sales of $164.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $72.2 million.

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 $0.81. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.33 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.81 for Q1 against -$0.11 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 10.8%, 770 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.9%, 1,210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.4%, 620 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $168.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.40.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $667.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.83.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 746 members out of 786 rating the stock outperform, and 40 members rating it underperform. Among 211 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 205 give FreightCar America a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on FreightCar America is outperform, with an average price target of $27.69.

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