American States Water (NYSE: AWR) reported earnings on May 10. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
American States Water notched revenue of $110.6 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $105.8 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 $0.69. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.50 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.69 for Q1 were 30% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.53 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 55.4%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 25.3%, 340 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.2%, 270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $122.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.84.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $486.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.78.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 142 members out of 148 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 29 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 28 give American States Water 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 American States Water is hold, with an average price target of $51.33.

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