Consolidated Communications Holdings (Nasdaq: CNSL) reported earnings on Nov. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
 Consolidated Communications Holdings tallied revenue of $157.0 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $157.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 70% higher than the prior-year quarter's $92.5 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 $0.28. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.09 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.01 for Q3 against $0.19 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 62.0%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.7%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -0.2%, 650 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $157.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.09.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $533.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.41.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 66 members out of 77 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 24 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 22 give Consolidated Communications Holdings 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 Consolidated Communications Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $17.25.

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