PAA Natural Gas Storage (NYSE: PNG) reported earnings on Nov. 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), PAA Natural Gas Storage whiffed on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 PAA Natural Gas Storage booked revenue of $66.1 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $80.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 17% lower than the prior-year quarter's $79.3 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 $0.25. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.20 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.24 for Q3 were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.21 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 51.4%, 1,270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 30.0%, 840 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 27.1%, 760 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $91.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $358.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.95.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 66 members out of 67 rating the stock outperform, and one members rating it underperform. Among 20 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 20 give PAA Natural Gas Storage a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on PAA Natural Gas Storage is hold, with an average price target of $19.61.

Can your portfolio provide you with enough income to last through retirement? You'll need more than PAA Natural Gas Storage. Learn how to maximize your investment income and get "The 3 DOW Stocks Dividend Investors Need." Click here for instant access to this free report.