California Water Service Group Beats on Both Top and Bottom Lines

California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT  ) filed its 10-K on Feb. 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), California Water Service Group beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
California Water Service Group booked revenue of $121.5 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $116.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $103.0 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 $0.12. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.09 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.12 for Q4 were 200% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.04 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 46.6%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.2%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.1%, 230 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $114.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.03.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $538.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.01.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 223 members out of 234 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 87 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 86 give California Water Service Group a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on California Water Service Group is outperform, with an average price target of $20.40.

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