Stonemor Partners (NYSE: STON) reported earnings on Nov. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 Stonemor Partners reported revenue of $62.2 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for sales of $62.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $60.3 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 $0.05. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.11 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.05 for Q3 against -$0.01 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 56.9%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.9%, 130 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.7%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $64.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.08.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $248.4 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.15.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 355 members out of 376 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 109 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 104 give Stonemor Partners 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 Stonemor Partners is outperform, with an average price target of $29.67.

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