UIL Holdings (NYSE: UIL) reported earnings on Feb. 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), UIL Holdings whiffed on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins expanded, operating margins contracted, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
UIL Holdings logged revenue of $373.9 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $426.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $334.0 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.42. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.46 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.41 for Q4 were 95% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.21 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 34.8%, 490 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.1%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.7%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $644.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.00.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.68 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.20.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 61 members out of 65 rating the stock outperform, and four members rating it underperform. Among 21 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 19 give UIL Holdings 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 UIL Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $34.86.

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