CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), CMS Energy whiffed on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins increased, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
 CMS Energy chalked up revenue of $1.51 billion. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated net sales of $1.74 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.46 billion.

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 $0.54. The 11 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.54 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.55 for Q3 were 3.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.53 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 22.8%, 920 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.8%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.8%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.94 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.23.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.59 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.55.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 130 members out of 151 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 51 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 46 give CMS Energy a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on CMS Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $25.27.

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