Southern (NYSE: SO) reported earnings on Nov. 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped and GAAP earnings per share expanded.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Southern logged revenue of $5.05 billion. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for sales of $5.97 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 7.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $5.43 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 $1.11. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.13 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.12 for Q3 were 5.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.06 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 48.0%, 520 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 34.5%, 410 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.7%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $4.07 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.40.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $18.03 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.64.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,022 members out of 1,078 rating the stock outperform, and 56 members rating it underperform. Among 288 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 278 give Southern a green thumbs-up, and 10 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Southern is hold, with an average price target of $47.00.

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