Alliant Energy (NYSE: LNT) reported earnings on Nov. 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Alliant Energy booked revenue of $887.6 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $992.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 13% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.02 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 $1.36. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.30 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.36 for Q3 were 24% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.10 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 46.9%, 1,830 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 24.1%, 600 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.4%, 550 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $694.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.59.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.24 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.98.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 77 members out of 90 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 29 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 24 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 $48.25.

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