Mueller Water Products (NYSE: MWA) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q1), Mueller Water Products beat slightly on revenue and met expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew, and GAAP loss per share stayed the same.

Gross margins dropped, operating margins improved, and net margins grew.

Revenue details
Mueller Water Products logged revenue of $311.5 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $308.3 million. Sales were 8.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $287.6 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at -$0.07. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.07 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were -$0.08 for Q1 compared to -$0.08 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 16.6%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -0.5%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -3.8%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $331.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.04.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.41 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.05.

Investor sentiment
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Mueller Water Products is hold, with an average price target of $2.96.

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