Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS) is expected to report Q1 earnings on Aug. 21. 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 Barnes & Noble's revenues will grow 4.6% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.48 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$1.14.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Barnes & Noble reported revenue of $1.38 billion. GAAP reported sales were 0.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.37 billion.

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 -$0.53. GAAP EPS were -$1.08 for Q4 against -$1.04 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 28.9%, 150 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -5.1%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -4.2%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $7.47 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.78.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 296 members out of 649 rating the stock outperform, and 353 members rating it underperform. Among 174 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 56 give Barnes & Noble a green thumbs-up, and 118 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Barnes & Noble is hold, with an average price target of $15.00.

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