Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE: NWN) reported earnings on Nov. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Northwest Natural Gas met expectations on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
Northwest Natural Gas booked revenue of $49.9 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $50.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $93.3 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 -$0.29. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.30 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.39 for Q3 compared to -$0.31 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 23.3%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -5.3%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -11.8%, 290 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $122.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.14.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $382.5 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 131 members out of 137 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 36 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 35 give Northwest Natural Gas 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 Northwest Natural Gas is outperform, with an average price target of $49.33.

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