Helix Energy Solutions Group (NYSE: HLX) reported earnings on Oct. 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Helix Energy Solutions Group missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Helix Energy Solutions Group tallied revenue of $336.2 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $345.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 9.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $372.5 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 $0.35. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.38 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.14 for Q3 were 67% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.43 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 25.5%, 830 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.2%, 960 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.4%, 800 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $357.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.37.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.46 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.95.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 922 members out of 960 rating the stock outperform, and 38 members rating it underperform. Among 233 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 226 give Helix Energy Solutions Group a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Helix Energy Solutions Group is outperform, with an average price target of $21.50.

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