MGE Energy (Nasdaq: MGEE) reported earnings on Feb. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins were steady, operating margins dropped, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
 MGE Energy reported revenue of $137.0 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $135.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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 $0.45. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.55 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.45 for Q4 were 9.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.41 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 24.4%, much about the same as the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.1%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.7%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $160.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.84.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $550.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.90.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 61 members out of 63 rating the stock outperform, and two members rating it underperform. Among 23 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 23 give MGE Energy a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on MGE Energy is hold, with an average price target of $51.00.

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