Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE: FGP) reported earnings on March 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Jan. 31 (Q2), Ferrellgas Partners met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins contracted, and net margins grew.

Revenue details
Ferrellgas Partners tallied revenue of $829.3 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $833.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $841.0 million.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.47. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.82 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.47 for Q2 were 52% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.31 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 24.6%, 430 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.5%, 280 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.3%, 170 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $677.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.20.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.53 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.15.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 118 members out of 160 rating the stock outperform, and 42 members rating it underperform. Among 40 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 29 give Ferrellgas Partners a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ferrellgas Partners is underperform, with an average price target of $17.25.

If you are interested in gas utilities, then you'll want to read about "One Stock to Own Before Nat Gas Act 2011 Becomes Law." Click here for instant access to this free report.