Cincinnati Bell (NYSE: CBB) reported earnings on Oct. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Cincinnati Bell 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 shrank significantly.

Gross margins grew, operating margins shrank, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 Cincinnati Bell booked revenue of $368.2 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $369.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.2% lower than the prior-year quarter's $368.8 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 $0.01. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.06 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.01 for Q3 were 86% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.07 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 53.2%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.1%, 320 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.1%, 370 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $369.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.06.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.47 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.22.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 122 members out of 137 rating the stock outperform, and 15 members rating it underperform. Among 30 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 28 give Cincinnati Bell 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 Cincinnati Bell is outperform, with an average price target of $5.53.