UIL Holdings (NYSE: UIL) reported earnings on Nov. 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 UIL Holdings reported revenue of $323.8 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $336.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $321.4 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 $0.31. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.30 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.31 for Q3 were 29% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.24 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 35.2%, 440 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.1%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.9%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $435.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.58.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.52 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.07.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 68 members out of 71 rating the stock outperform, and three members rating it underperform. Among 26 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 25 give UIL Holdings 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 UIL Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $37.13.

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