The Gory Details on Atlas Pipeline Partners' Double Fumble

Seth Jayson, The Motley Fool
Updated

Atlas Pipeline Partners (NYS: APL) reported earnings on Feb. 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly and GAAP loss per share contracted.

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

Revenue details
 Atlas Pipeline Partners logged revenue of $315.9 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated sales of $326.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 22% higher than the prior-year quarter's $259.2 million.

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

EPS details
 Non-GAAP EPS came in at -$0.15. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.46 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were -$0.13 for Q4 versus -$0.23 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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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 9.2%, 930 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -0.3%, 750 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -2.2%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $326.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.33.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.50 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.52.

Investor sentiment

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Atlas Pipeline Partners is outperform, with an average price target of $41.67.

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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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