Community Health Systems (NYSE: CYH) reported earnings on April 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue was unchanged. Non-GAAP earnings per share dropped. GAAP earnings per share increased slightly.

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

Revenue details
 Community Health Systems recorded revenue of $3.31 billion. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated sales of $3.36 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 $0.87. The 21 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.85 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.87 for Q1 were 4.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.91 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.) GAAP EPS of $0.86 for Q1 were 2.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.84 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 37.3%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.6%, 200 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.4%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.42 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.97.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $13.52 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.68.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 143 members out of 155 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 64 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 63 give Community Health Systems 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 Community Health Systems is outperform, with an average price target of $48.61.

Is Community Health Systems the best health care stock for you? Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," including one above-average health care logistics company. Click here for instant access to this free report.