NiSource (NYSE: NI) reported earnings on May 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
NiSource reported revenue of $1.70 billion. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw sales of $2.10 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 26% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.23 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 $0.73. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.72 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.66 for Q1 were 8.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.72 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 37.6%, 940 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 23.5%, 570 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.7%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.21 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.19.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.14 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.44.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 153 members out of 179 rating the stock outperform, and 26 members rating it underperform. Among 48 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), all 48 give NiSource a green thumbs-up.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on NiSource is hold, with an average price target of $22.85.

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