Laclede Group (NYSE: LG) reported earnings on Jan. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q1), Laclede Group missed on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue contracted, and earnings per share improved.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Laclede Group notched revenue of $410.9 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $455.1 million. Sales were 7.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $444.2 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.11. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.11 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.12 for Q1 were 6.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.05 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 25.9%, 310 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.5%, 130 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.1%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $557.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.32.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.62 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.62.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 146 members out of 160 rating the stock outperform, and 14 members rating it underperform. Among 42 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 37 give Laclede Group a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Laclede Group is hold, with an average price target of $42.00.

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