Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN) reported earnings on April 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins expanded, operating margins dropped, net margins increased.

Revenue details
 Waste Connections tallied revenue of $449.9 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $441.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $376.4 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 $0.37. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.33 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.37 for Q1 were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.32 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.34 for Q1 were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.27 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 44.0%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.2%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.2%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $489.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.45.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.95 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.75.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 146 members out of 156 rating the stock outperform, and 10 members rating it underperform. Among 46 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 46 give Waste Connections a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Waste Connections is outperform, with an average price target of $38.14.

Looking for alternatives to Waste Connections? 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.