Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 17. 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 Abbott Laboratories's revenues will grow 0.9% and EPS will grow 8.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $9.91 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.28.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Abbott Laboratories tallied revenue of $9.81 billion. GAAP reported sales were 2.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $9.62 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 $1.23. GAAP EPS of $1.08 for Q2 were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.23 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 62.9%, 310 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.6%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.6%, 260 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $39.76 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.06.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,551 members out of 2,643 rating the stock outperform, and 92 members rating it underperform. Among 665 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 648 give Abbott Laboratories a green thumbs-up, and 17 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Abbott Laboratories is hold, with an average price target of $64.33.

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