InterOil (NYSE: IOC) reported earnings on May 14. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew significantly and GAAP earnings per share improved significantly. The profit was a surprise, as analysts had predicted a loss.

Gross margins shrank, operating margins dropped, net margins increased.

Revenue details
InterOil reported revenue of $338.2 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $284.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 39% higher than the prior-year quarter's $243.4 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 $0.19. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.19 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.19 for Q1 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.01 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 10.8%, 580 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.7%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.8%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $312.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.11.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.46 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.65.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 260 members out of 586 rating the stock outperform, and 326 members rating it underperform. Among 193 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 46 give InterOil a green thumbs-up, and 147 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on InterOil is outperform, with an average price target of $80.00.

How did InterOil treat you during the oil spike in 2008 and the subsequent bust? More importantly, what are you doing to prepare for the next spike that some experts believe another spike may be just around the corner? Prepare yourself with a well-positioned energy stock we profile in "The Only Energy Stock You'll Ever Need." Click here for instant access to this free report.