American States Water (NYSE: AWR) reported earnings on Nov. 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), American States Water beat expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins grew, net margins grew.

Revenue details
 American States Water recorded revenue of $133.5 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw a top line of $124.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $119.9 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 $0.97. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.80 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.97 for Q3 were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.83 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 56.4%, 770 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 27.3%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.0%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $98.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.34.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $444.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.44.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 134 members out of 140 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 30 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 29 give American States Water 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 American States Water is hold, with an average price target of $43.33.

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