FuelCell Energy (Nasdaq: FCEL) reported earnings March 12. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue improved and GAAP loss per share shrank.

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
FuelCell Energy reported revenue of $31.3 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted net sales of $32.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $28.1 million.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at -$0.05. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.06 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.05 for Q1 compared to -$0.10 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 11.7%, 1,990 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -17.4%, 2,040 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -19.0%, 2,000 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $35.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.06.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $151.7 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.20.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 588 members out of 717 rating the stock outperform, and 129 members rating it underperform. Among 126 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 65 give FuelCell Energy a green thumbs-up, and 61 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on FuelCell Energy is buy, with an average price target of $2.56.

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