United Rentals (NYSE: URI) is expected to report Q3 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 United Rentals's revenues will grow 79.5% and EPS will grow 21.7%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.28 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.12.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, United Rentals recorded revenue of $993.0 million. GAAP reported sales were 58% higher than the prior-year quarter's $629.0 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 $0.66. GAAP EPS were -$0.63 for Q2 compared to $0.37 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 37.7%, 420 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.0%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -5.2%, 950 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $4.26 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.11.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 198 members out of 218 rating the stock outperform, and 20 members rating it underperform. Among 63 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 57 give United Rentals 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 United Rentals is outperform, with an average price target of $52.87.