Atmos Energy (NYSE: ATO) reported earnings on Feb. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins increased, operating margins shrank, and net margins dropped.

Revenue details
Atmos Energy logged revenue of $1.10 billion. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $1.19 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.13 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.61. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.85 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.75 for Q1 were 7.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.81 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 22.4%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.1%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.2%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.65 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.46.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.40 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.37.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 108 members rating the stock outperform and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 40 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 38 give Atmos Energy a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Atmos Energy is hold, with an average price target of $33.36.

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