Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) reported earnings on April 19. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Kansas City Southern missed estimates on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew slightly. Non-GAAP earnings per share increased significantly. GAAP earnings per share grew significantly.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Kansas City Southern notched revenue of $552.8 million. The 17 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see a top line of $571.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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 $0.89. The 22 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.88 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.89 for Q1 were 19% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.75 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.94 for Q1 were 38% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.68 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 58.4%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 29.5%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 18.8%, 510 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $577.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.95.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.38 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.08.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 448 members out of 463 rating the stock outperform, and 15 members rating it underperform. Among 111 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 109 give Kansas City Southern a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Kansas City Southern is hold, with an average price target of $96.89.

If you're interested in transportation companies like Kansas City Southern, then you should check out our special report that features 3 companies who depend on, and invest in, that industry. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get these 3 focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.