California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) reported earnings on May 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), California Water Service Group missed estimates on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped. GAAP earnings per share dropped to a loss.

Gross margins increased, operating margins dropped, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 California Water Service Group logged revenue of $111.4 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw net sales of $116.2 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 -$0.03. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.00 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.03 for Q1 versus $0.03 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 58.9%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.1%, 160 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -1.0%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $144.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.28.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $574.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.87.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 225 members out of 236 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 83 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 82 give California Water Service Group 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 California Water Service Group is hold, with an average price target of $20.50.

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