Harris Teeter Supermarkets (NYSE: HTSI) reported earnings on Nov. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Oct. 2 (Q4), Harris Teeter Supermarkets missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Harris Teeter Supermarkets reported revenue of $1.14 billion. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $1.18 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.10 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 $0.48. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.60 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.46 for Q4 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 29.7%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.5%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.0%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.17 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.60.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.99 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.70.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 80 members out of 97 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 34 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 29 give Harris Teeter Supermarkets a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Harris Teeter Supermarkets is buy, with an average price target of $47.20.

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