Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) reported earnings on April 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Packaging Corporation of America beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 Packaging Corporation of America booked revenue of $755.2 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $722.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $671.4 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 $0.62. The 13 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.56 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.62 for Q1 were 244% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.18 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 24.2%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.7%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.0%, 530 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $767.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.70.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.09 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.95.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 176 members out of 189 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 65 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 62 give Packaging Corporation of America a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Packaging Corporation of America is hold, with an average price target of $42.77.

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