South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI) reported earnings on May 4. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), South Jersey Industries whiffed on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
South Jersey Industries tallied revenue of $274.8 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $356.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 17% lower than the prior-year quarter's $331.9 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 $1.65. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.69 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.79 for Q1 were 4.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.72 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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%, 550 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 26.7%, 470 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.7%, 420 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $174.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.27.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $877.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $3.20.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 56 members rating the stock outperform and nine members rating it underperform. Among 22 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 19 give South Jersey Industries a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on South Jersey Industries is buy, with an average price target of $61.75.

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