Buckeye Partners (NYSE: BPL) reported earnings on Nov. 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Buckeye Partners whiffed on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 Buckeye Partners reported revenue of $966.0 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $1.11 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 14% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.12 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 $0.87. The 12 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.73 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.87 for Q3 compared to -$1.18 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 17.3%, 490 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.7%, 340 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.8%, 1,860 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.32 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.82.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.48 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.66.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 233 members out of 252 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 87 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 84 give Buckeye Partners a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Buckeye Partners is hold, with an average price target of $58.70.

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