South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI) reported earnings on Feb. 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), South Jersey Industries whiffed on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue contracted significantly and GAAP earnings per share expanded significantly.

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
South Jersey Industries notched revenue of $198.5 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see net sales of $318.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 30% lower than the prior-year quarter's $283.5 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.05. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.02 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.22 for Q4 were 44% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.85 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 28.0%, 890 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.8%, 700 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 18.6%, 970 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.73.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.03 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.19.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 56 members out of 65 rating the stock outperform, and nine members rating it underperform. Among 21 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 20 give South Jersey Industries a green thumbs-up, and one gives it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on South Jersey Industries is outperform, with an average price target of $59.50.

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