Niska Gas Storage Partners (NYSE: NKA) reported earnings on Oct. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q2), Niska Gas Storage Partners whiffed on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped significantly and GAAP earnings per share dropped to a loss. The non-GAAP profit was a surprise, as analysts had predicted a loss.

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

Revenue details
 Niska Gas Storage Partners reported revenue of $24.5 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $46.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 30% lower than the prior-year quarter's $35.2 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 $0.07. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated -$0.05 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.22 for Q2 compared to $0.40 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 64.0%, 470 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -22.8%, 12,820 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -62.7%, 14,100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $50.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.20.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $177.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.23.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 132 members out of 139 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 41 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 39 give Niska Gas Storage Partners a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Niska Gas Storage Partners is hold, with an average price target of $10.75.

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