Alliant Energy (NYSE: LNT) reported earnings on Feb. 14. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Alliant Energy missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Alliant Energy booked revenue of $750.9 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $803.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 15% lower than the prior-year quarter's $879.2 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 $0.61. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.57 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.61 for Q4 were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.51 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 28.1%, 440 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.5%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.6%, 310 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $723.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.59.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.33 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.14.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 79 members out of 92 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 36 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 31 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 $48.29.

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