Middlesex Water (Nasdaq: MSEX) filed its 10-K on March 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
 Middlesex Water reported revenue of $23.3 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $25.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 6.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $25.0 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 $0.12. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.18 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.12 for Q4 were 25% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.16 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 40.5%, 230 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.9%, 370 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.8%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $25.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.16.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $109.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.97.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 51 members out of 59 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 25 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 21 give Middlesex Water a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Middlesex Water is outperform, with an average price target of $20.00.

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