Ameren (NYSE: AEE) reported earnings on May 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped. Non-GAAP earnings per share didn't move. GAAP loss per share contracted.

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

Revenue details
 Ameren booked revenue of $1.48 billion. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for sales of $1.63 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.6% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.61 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 $0.22. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.28 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.22 were the same as the prior-year quarter. GAAP EPS were -$0.60 for Q1 versus -$1.66 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 32.7%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.5%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -9.8%, much better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.64 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.59.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.60 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.12.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 188 members out of 230 rating the stock outperform, and 42 members rating it underperform. Among 68 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 60 give Ameren a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ameren is hold, with an average price target of $33.80.

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