Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE: CPK) reported earnings on March 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Chesapeake Utilities missed estimates on revenue and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Chesapeake Utilities reported revenue of $104.0 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $114.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $117.8 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 $0.75. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.76 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.83 for Q4 were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.74 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 22.1%, 270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.9%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.7%, 170 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $440.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.93.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 91 members out of 99 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 18 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), all of them give Chesapeake Utilities a green thumbs-up.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Chesapeake Utilities is outperform, with an average price target of $46.00.

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