Copano Energy (Nasdaq: CPNO) reported earnings on Nov. 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Copano Energy met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins expanded, operating margins were steady, net margins grew.

Revenue details
Copano Energy chalked up revenue of $366.4 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw net sales of $365.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $353.7 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 $0.15. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.07 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.23 for Q3 versus -$2.51 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 15.2%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 5.7%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.9%, 5,250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $379.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.05.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.42 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.09.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 342 members out of 358 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 117 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 114 give Copano Energy 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 Copano Energy is hold, with an average price target of $34.50.

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