Does The Street Have Alliant Energy Figured Out?

Alliant Energy (NYSE: LNT) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Nov. 9. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Alliant Energy's revenues will wane -2.9% and EPS will increase 16.1%.

The average estimate for revenue is $992.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.30.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Alliant Energy chalked up revenue of $690.3 million. GAAP reported sales were 3.1% lower than the prior-year quarter's $712.5 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Last quarter, non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.58. GAAP EPS of $0.60 for Q2 were 30% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.46 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 31.0%, 550 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.8%, 520 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.5%, 230 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $3.25 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.97.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 78 members out of 91 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 28 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 23 give Alliant Energy a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Alliant Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $46.88.

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