NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) reported earnings on Nov. 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins dropped, net margins increased.

Revenue details
 NRG Energy logged revenue of $2.33 billion. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $3.13 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 13% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.67 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 $0.25. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.56 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.01 for Q3 versus -$0.24 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 26.0%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.5%, 310 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.0%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.25 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.04.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $9.74 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.02.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 701 members out of 715 rating the stock outperform, and 14 members rating it underperform. Among 192 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 189 give NRG Energy a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on NRG Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $25.08.

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