Linear Technology (Nasdaq: LLTC) is expected to report Q1 earnings on Oct. 16. 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 Linear Technology's revenues will grow 1.5% and EPS will drop -4.2%.

The average estimate for revenue is $334.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.46.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Linear Technology reported revenue of $330.0 million. GAAP reported sales were 8.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $358.6 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.45. GAAP EPS of $0.44 for Q4 were 35% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.68 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 75.4%, 260 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 45.9%, 500 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 31.3%, 1,280 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.40 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.97.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 719 members out of 753 rating the stock outperform, and 34 members rating it underperform. Among 244 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 238 give Linear Technology a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Linear Technology is outperform, with an average price target of $35.39.

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