United Continental Holdings (NYSE: UAL) reported earnings on April 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), United Continental Holdings met expectations on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded slightly. Non-GAAP loss per share expanded. GAAP loss per share contracted.

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

Revenue details
 United Continental Holdings tallied revenue of $8.72 billion. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $8.71 billion 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 -$0.98. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$1.06 per share. Non-GAAP EPS were -$0.98 for Q1 compared to -$0.87 per share for the prior-year quarter. GAAP EPS were -$1.26 for Q1 compared to -$1.36 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 20.4%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -2.0%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -4.8%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $10.11 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.78.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $38.42 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.59.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 385 members out of 789 rating the stock outperform, and 404 members rating it underperform. Among 182 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 91 give United Continental Holdings a green thumbs-up, and 91 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United Continental Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $30.51.

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