United Continental Holdings (NYSE: UAL) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), United Continental Holdings met expectations on revenues and whiffed on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 United Continental Holdings logged revenue of $9.91 billion. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $9.97 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.6% lower than the prior-year quarter's $10.17 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 $1.35. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.55 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.02 for Q3 were 99% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.69 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 26.4%, 290 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.2%, 320 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.1%, 630 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $8.89 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.18.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $37.52 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.53.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 386 members out of 785 rating the stock outperform, and 399 members rating it underperform. Among 188 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 78 give United Continental Holdings a green thumbs-up, and 110 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United Continental Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $26.18.