TransAlta (NYSE: TAC ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 27. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:
The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict TransAlta's revenues will contract -9.7% and EPS will grow 115.4%.
The average estimate for revenue is $622.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.28.
Revenue details
Last quarter, TransAlta chalked up revenue of $546.2 million. GAAP reported sales were 9.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $605.5 million.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.
EPS details
Last quarter, non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.18. GAAP EPS of $0.24 for Q3 were 9.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.22 per share.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.
Recent performance
For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 41.1%, 410 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.8%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.9%, 330 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.
Looking ahead
The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.31 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.58.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 88 members out of 93 rating the stock outperform, and five members rating it underperform. Among 27 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 25 give TransAlta 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 TransAlta is hold, with an average price target of $21.96.
Is TransAlta the right energy stock for you? Read about a handful of timely, profit-producing plays on expensive crude in "3 Stocks for $100 Oil." Click here for instant access to this free report.
- Add TransAlta to My Watchlist.
RSS Headlines
Fool UK
Comments from our Foolish Readers
Help us keep this a respectfully Foolish area! This is a place for our readers to discuss, debate, and learn more about the Foolish investing topic you read about above. Help us keep it clean and safe. If you believe a comment is abusive or otherwise violates our Fool's Rules, please report it via the
Report this Comment icon found on every comment.
Be the first one to comment on this article.