National Fuel Gas (NYSE: NFG) reported earnings on May 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q2), National Fuel Gas missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 National Fuel Gas booked revenue of $597.8 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $616.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.2% higher than the prior-year quarter's $552.3 million.

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 $1.02. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.98 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.02 for Q2 were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.81 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 44.4%, 350 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 27.3%, 340 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.3%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $397.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.60.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.81 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.96.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 203 members out of 213 rating the stock outperform, and 10 members rating it underperform. Among 60 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 57 give National Fuel Gas a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on National Fuel Gas is outperform, with an average price target of $60.00.

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