CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP) reported earnings on May 3. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), CenterPoint Energy whiffed on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
 CenterPoint Energy notched revenue of $2.08 billion. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $2.67 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 19% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.59 billion.

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 $0.33. The 13 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.33 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.34 for Q1 were 2.9% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.35 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 31.7%, 570 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 16.2%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.1%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.95 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.24.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $8.89 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.14.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 276 members out of 298 rating the stock outperform, and 23 members rating it underperform. Among 83 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 79 give CenterPoint Energy 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 CenterPoint Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $20.96.

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