Atlantic Power (NYSE: AT) reported earnings on Nov. 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins shrank, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
 Atlantic Power reported revenue of $154.5 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $170.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $52.3 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 -$0.07. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.01 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.06 for Q3 compared to -$0.40 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 38.9%, 1,630 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.9%, 160 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -4.8%, 4,850 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $169.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.04.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $675.3 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.37.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 94 members out of 98 rating the stock outperform, and four members rating it underperform. Among 20 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 19 give Atlantic Power 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 Atlantic Power is hold, with an average price target of $14.50.

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