Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) reported earnings on April 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Hexcel met expectations on revenues and beat slightly on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew. GAAP earnings per share grew.

Gross margins expanded, operating margins were steady, net margins increased.

Revenue details
 Hexcel booked revenue of $416.5 million. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $416.9 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 $0.43. The 12 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.42 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.43 for Q1 were 10% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.39 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 26.9%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.1%, much about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.5%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $427.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.46.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.70 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.77.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 268 members out of 284 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 60 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 59 give Hexcel a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Hexcel is outperform, with an average price target of $31.43.

Looking for alternatives to Hexcel? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.