Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU) reported earnings on Feb. 19. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Northeast Utilities missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
 Northeast Utilities reported revenue of $1.68 billion. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for revenue of $1.87 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 58% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.07 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 $0.56. The 11 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.60 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.56 for Q4 were 24% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.74 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.55 for Q4 were 14% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.64 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 43.9%, 1,480 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.0%, 420 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.4%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.92 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.63.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.41 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.54.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 118 members out of 126 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 36 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 36 give Northeast Utilities a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Northeast Utilities is outperform, with an average price target of $41.67.

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