MDU Resources Group (NYSE: MDU) reported earnings on Oct. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), MDU Resources Group beat slightly on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded slightly and GAAP earnings per share contracted to a loss.

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

Revenue details
 MDU Resources Group reported revenue of $1.17 billion. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $1.16 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.15 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 $0.38. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.39 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.16 for Q3 against $0.34 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 22.1%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.7%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -2.5%, 810 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.13 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.41.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.04 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.18.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 242 members out of 254 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 60 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 56 give MDU Resources Group 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 MDU Resources Group is hold, with an average price target of $23.57.

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