Ameren (NYSE: AEE) reported earnings on May 4. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins increased, operating margins grew, net margins shrank.

Revenue details
 Ameren recorded revenue of $1.66 billion. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $1.70 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 11% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.85 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 $0.22. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.21 per share. GAAP EPS were -$1.66 for Q1 versus $0.30 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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%, 220 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.4%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -24.3%, 2,810 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.70 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.55.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.58 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.34.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 189 members out of 231 rating the stock outperform, and 42 members rating it underperform. Among 67 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 58 give Ameren a green thumbs-up, and nine give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ameren is hold, with an average price target of $29.83.

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