Anixter International (NYSE: AXE) reported earnings on May 4. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 30 (Q1), Anixter International met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins expanded, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
Anixter International reported revenue of $1.52 billion. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $1.53 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.47 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 $1.37. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.43 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.61 for Q1 were 32% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.22 per share. (The prior-year quarter included $0.09 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 22.9%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 5.7%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.6%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.63 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.56.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.44 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.16.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 188 members out of 210 rating the stock outperform, and 22 members rating it underperform. Among 69 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 66 give Anixter International 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 Anixter International is outperform, with an average price target of $78.21.

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