Middlesex Water (Nasdaq: MSEX) reported earnings on May 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Middlesex Water beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 Middlesex Water reported revenue of $27.0 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $26.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $23.5 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 $0.20. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.17 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.20 for Q1 were 82% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.11 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 42.9%, 400 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.7%, 520 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.8%, 410 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $29.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.31.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $117.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.00.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 51 members out of 59 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 25 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 21 give Middlesex Water a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Middlesex Water is outperform, with an average price target of $20.50.

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