Alliance Holdings GP (Nasdaq: AHGP) reported earnings on April 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins dropped, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 Alliance Holdings GP chalked up revenue of $548.0 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $536.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 24% higher than the prior-year quarter's $443.5 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 $1.00. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.83 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.00 for Q1 were 22% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.82 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 35.0%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.4%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.9%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $549.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.83.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.19 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.37.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 259 members out of 265 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 72 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 70 give Alliance Holdings GP 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 Alliance Holdings GP is outperform, with an average price target of $57.50.

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