NextEra Energy Beats Analyst Estimates on EPS

NextEra Energy (NYS: NEE) reported earnings on Jan. 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
NextEra Energy notched revenue of $3.86 billion. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see net sales of $3.91 billion. Sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.41 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.93. The 13 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.92 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.59 for Q4 were 149% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.64 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 43.8%, 830 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 29.3%, 1,550 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.3%, 960 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.55 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.02.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $15.91 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.54.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,063 members out of 1,094 rating the stock outperform, and 31 members rating it underperform. Among 285 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 279 give NextEra Energy a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on NextEra Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $59.28.

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At the time thisarticle was published Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor ofMotley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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