Westar Energy (NYSE: WR) reported earnings on Nov. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Westar Energy missed slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased slightly and GAAP earnings per share contracted.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Westar Energy reported revenue of $695.8 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw a top line of $707.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $678.2 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 $1.10. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.05 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.10 for Q3 were 3.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.14 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 53.1%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 35.9%, 360 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 20.0%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $509.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.24.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.23 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.98.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 164 members out of 173 rating the stock outperform, and nine members rating it underperform. Among 56 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 54 give Westar Energy a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Westar Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $31.55.

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