Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE: NWN) reported earnings on May 4. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Northwest Natural Gas beat expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Northwest Natural Gas booked revenue of $139.9 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $136.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $323.1 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 $1.51. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.52 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.51 for Q1 were 1.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.53 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 35.7%, 130 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 24.8%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.8%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $72.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.17.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $383.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.56.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 130 members out of 136 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 36 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 35 give Northwest Natural Gas a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Northwest Natural Gas is outperform, with an average price target of $48.38.

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