Westar Energy Earnings Up Next

Westar Energy (NYSE: WR  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 28. 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 Westar Energy's revenues will increase 3.5% and EPS will grow 25.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $503.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.20.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Westar Energy logged revenue of $695.8 million. GAAP reported sales were 2.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $678.2 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.10. GAAP EPS of $1.09 for Q3 were 4.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.14 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 53.1%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 36.3%, 400 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 20.0%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.23 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.98.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 167 members out of 176 rating the stock outperform, and nine members rating it underperform. Among 59 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 56 give Westar Energy 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 Westar Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $31.55.

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