HCA Holdings (NYSE: HCA) reported earnings on Nov. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 HCA Holdings reported revenue of $8.89 billion. The 17 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $8.97 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 10% higher than the prior-year quarter's $8.05 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 $0.77. The 22 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.79 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.78 for Q3 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.11 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 42.0%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.5%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.0%, 320 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $8.97 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.90.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $36.24 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.60.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 47 members out of 54 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 16 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 15 give HCA Holdings 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 HCA Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $33.52.

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