Can Middlesex Water Beat These Numbers?

Middlesex Water (Nasdaq: MSEX  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings around March 8. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Middlesex Water's revenues will grow 8.7% and EPS will grow 50.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $25.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.18.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Middlesex Water reported revenue of $32.4 million. GAAP reported sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $28.7 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Last quarter, EPS came in at $0.38. GAAP EPS of $0.38 for Q3 were 19% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.32 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 51.8%, 300 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 33.5%, 380 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.0%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $108.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.91.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 51 members out of 59 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 24 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 21 give Middlesex Water a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Middlesex Water is outperform, with an average price target of $20.00.

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