H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) reported earnings on Dec. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Oct. 31 (Q2), H&R Block beat expectations on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 H&R Block tallied revenue of $137.3 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $130.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $119.3 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 -$0.37. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged -$0.40 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.39 for Q2 compared to -$0.47 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 38.4%, 1,670 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -103.2%, 5,540 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -76.7%, 4,210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $679.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.07.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.95 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.65.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 369 members out of 549 rating the stock outperform, and 180 members rating it underperform. Among 160 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 91 give H&R Block a green thumbs-up, and 69 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on H&R Block is outperform, with an average price target of $20.86.

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