MDU Resources Group (NYSE: MDU) reported earnings on April 30. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), MDU Resources Group missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins improved, operating margins shrank, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 MDU Resources Group reported revenue of $852.8 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $891.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $901.8 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 $0.19. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.21 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.19 for Q1 were 14% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.22 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 24.0%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.3%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.2%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $906.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.22.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.99 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.20.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 243 members out of 255 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 56 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 52 give MDU Resources Group 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 MDU Resources Group is hold, with an average price target of $23.33.

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