Gulf Island Fabrication (Nasdaq: GIFI) reported earnings on Oct. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Gulf Island Fabrication met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 Gulf Island Fabrication reported revenue of $141.8 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $143.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 65% higher than the prior-year quarter's $85.8 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 $0.26. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.53 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.72 for Q3 compared to $0.11 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 -2.7%, 740 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -10.8%, 1,320 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -7.3%, 910 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $139.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.67.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $532.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.19.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 359 members out of 376 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 74 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 72 give Gulf Island Fabrication a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Gulf Island Fabrication is hold, with an average price target of $35.75.

Are you missing a big story in the energy space? Read about "One Stock to Own Before Nat Gas Act 2011 Becomes Law." Click here for instant access to this free report.