Cbeyond (Nasdaq: CBEY) reported earnings on Nov. 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped slightly and GAAP earnings per share grew. The profit was a surprise, as analysts had predicted a loss.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Cbeyond notched revenue of $121.5 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $121.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $122.5 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 $0.06. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged -$0.02 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.06 for Q3 compared to -$0.04 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 68.2%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.3%, 400 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.6%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $120.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.05.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $490.2 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.00.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 106 members out of 140 rating the stock outperform, and 34 members rating it underperform. Among 41 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 26 give Cbeyond a green thumbs-up, and 15 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Cbeyond is hold, with an average price target of $9.17.