Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE: NWN) reported earnings on May 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue contracted. GAAP earnings per share shrank.

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 Northwest Natural Gas logged revenue of $135.5 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $138.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $317.5 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $1.40. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.49 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.40 for Q1 were 7.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.51 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 36.6%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 26.7%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.5%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $69.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.07.

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

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-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 38 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 37 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 $44.67.

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