Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE: NWN) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 2. 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 Northwest Natural Gas's revenues will drop -1.2% and EPS will decrease -1.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $138.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.49.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Northwest Natural Gas logged revenue of $110.3 million. GAAP reported sales were 13% lower than the prior-year quarter's $250.5 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, EPS came in at $1.05. GAAP EPS of $1.05 for Q4 were 3.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.09 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 32.0%, 390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 26.0%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.1%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $377.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.27.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 141 members out of 149 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 39 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 38 give Northwest Natural Gas a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Northwest Natural Gas is hold, with an average price target of $45.25.

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