South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI) reported earnings on Nov. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), South Jersey Industries whiffed on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 South Jersey Industries logged revenue of $112.0 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $148.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 19% lower than the prior-year quarter's $137.6 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 $0.13. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.07 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.07 for Q3 compared to -$0.17 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 10.8%, 820 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 0.0%, 520 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.8%, 550 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $213.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.09.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $758.2 million. The average EPS estimate is $3.11.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 57 members out of 65 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 24 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 22 give South Jersey Industries a green thumbs-up, and two 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 $60.33.

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