UniSource Energy (NYSE: UNS) reported earnings on Feb. 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), UniSource Energy beat slightly on revenues and whiffed on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
UniSource Energy recorded revenue of $344.1 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $338.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.2% lower than the prior-year quarter's $359.2 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 $0.22. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.26 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.22 for Q4 were 24% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.29 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 28.3%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.1%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.4%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.31.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.44 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.52.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 60 members rating the stock outperform, and two members rating it underperform. Among 18 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 18 give UniSource Energy a green thumbs-up, and none give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on UniSource Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $39.44.

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