California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) reported earnings on Feb. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), California Water Service Group whiffed on revenues and earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped slightly and GAAP earnings per share contracted significantly.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
California Water Service Group booked revenue of $103.0 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $117.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $105.5 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 $0.04. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.18 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.04 for Q4 were 67% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.12 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 54.5%, 750 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.1%, 580 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.8%, 280 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $102.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.04.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $535.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.06.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 242 members out of 252 rating the stock outperform, and 10 members rating it underperform. Among 89 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 88 give California Water Service Group a green thumbs-up, and one gives it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on California Water Service Group is outperform, with an average price target of $20.75.

Over the decades, small-cap stocks like California Water Service Group have produced market-beating returns, provided they're value-priced and have solid businesses. Read about a pair of companies with a lock on their markets in "Too Small to Fail: 2 Small Caps the Government Won't Let Go Broke." Click here for instant access to this free report.