Alliance Holdings GP (Nasdaq: AHGP) reported earnings on Oct. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Alliance Holdings GP missed estimates on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Alliance Holdings GP logged revenue of $511.3 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for sales of $555.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $487.7 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 $1.38. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.89 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.66 for Q3 were 31% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.95 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 31.8%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.1%, 580 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.7%, 400 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $569.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.91.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.10 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.50.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 263 members out of 270 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 75 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 74 give Alliance Holdings GP a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Alliance Holdings GP is outperform, with an average price target of $57.50.

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