National Fuel Gas (NYSE: NFG) reported earnings on Feb. 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q1), National Fuel Gas missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 National Fuel Gas booked revenue of $452.9 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $474.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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 $0.81. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.79 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.81 for Q1 were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.73 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 49.3%, 300 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 29.0%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.0%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $613.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.95.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.83 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.79.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 208 members out of 220 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 67 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 64 give National Fuel Gas 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 National Fuel Gas is outperform, with an average price target of $59.38.

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