Ameresco (NYSE: AMRC) reported earnings on May 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Ameresco beat slightly on revenue and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margin expanded, operating margin dropped, and net margin contracted.

Revenue details
Ameresco reported revenue of $146.6 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $144.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $146.4 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 $0.03. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.10 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.03 for Q1 were 75% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.12 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 19.9%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 2.3%, 340 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.0%, 260 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $182.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.15.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $802.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.86.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS. Among 82 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 81 give Ameresco 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 Ameresco is buy, with an average price target of $16.64.

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