Will Piedmont Natural Gas Beat These Analyst Estimates?
Piedmont Natural Gas (NYS: PNY) is expected to report Q3 earnings around Sep. 9. 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 Piedmont Natural Gas's revenues will compress -3.8% and EPS will remain in the red.
The average estimate for revenue is $189.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.09.
Revenue details
Last quarter, Piedmont Natural Gas recorded revenue of $308.4 million. GAAP reported sales were 21% lower than the prior-year quarter's $392.6 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 $0.70. GAAP EPS of $0.70 for Q2 were 6.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.66 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 36.1%, 710 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 24.9%, 470 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 16.3%, 420 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.
Looking ahead
The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.19 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.58.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 172 members out of 187 rating the stock outperform, and 15 members rating it underperform. Among 58 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 56 give Piedmont Natural Gas a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Piedmont Natural Gas is hold, with an average price target of $30.71.
If you are interested in gas utilities, then you'll want to read about "One Stock to Own Before Nat Gas Act 2011 Becomes Law." Click here for instant access to this free report.
Add Piedmont Natural Gas to My Watchlist.
The article Will Piedmont Natural Gas Beat These Analyst Estimates? originally appeared on Fool.com.
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. The Motley Fool has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend Piedmont Natural Gas Company. 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.
Copyright © 1995 - 2012 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
