National Fuel Gas (NYSE: NFG) is expected to report Q3 earnings around Aug. 2. Here's what Wall Street wants to see.

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter with the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict National Fuel Gas' revenues will grow 2.1% and EPS will drop -17.9%.

The average estimate for revenue is $389.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.46.

Revenue details
Last quarter, National Fuel Gas logged revenue of $552.3 million. GAAP reported sales were 16% lower than the prior-year quarter's $660.9 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 $0.89. GAAP EPS of $0.81 for Q2 were 41% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.38 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 40.9%, 500 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 23.9%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.2%, 530 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.76 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.40.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 211 members out of 221 rating the stock outperform, and 10 members rating it underperform. Among 61 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 58 give National Fuel Gas 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 National Fuel Gas is outperform, with an average price target of $63.55.

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