Inergy (NYSE: NRGY) reported earnings on Nov. 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q4), Inergy beat expectations on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 Inergy notched revenue of $304.2 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $289.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 32% lower than the prior-year quarter's $448.6 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 -$0.04. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.03 per share. GAAP EPS were $4.10 for Q4 against -$0.42 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 32.8%, 760 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.3%, 790 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 177.5%, 18,870 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $310.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.10.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.07 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.56.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 218 members out of 235 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 70 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 65 give Inergy 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 Inergy is hold, with an average price target of $20.17.

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