El Paso Pipeline Partners (NYSE: EPB) reported earnings on Oct. 18. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), El Paso Pipeline Partners missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 El Paso Pipeline Partners reported revenue of $368.0 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $388.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $339.0 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 $0.55. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.50 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.55 for Q3 were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.46 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 77.4%, 690 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 59.8%, 700 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 31.3%, 330 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $408.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.55.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.51 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.06.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 273 members out of 278 rating the stock outperform, and five members rating it underperform. Among 82 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 81 give El Paso Pipeline Partners a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on El Paso Pipeline Partners is hold, with an average price target of $38.54.

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