Baxter International (NYSE: BAX) is expected to report Q3 earnings around Oct. 18. 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 Baxter International's revenues will grow 1.1% and EPS will grow 4.6%.

The average estimate for revenue is $3.52 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.14.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Baxter International notched revenue of $3.57 billion. GAAP reported sales were 1.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.54 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 $1.12. GAAP EPS of $1.19 for Q2 were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.07 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 52.4%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.8%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 18.5%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $14.19 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.53.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 634 members out of 666 rating the stock outperform, and 32 members rating it underperform. Among 200 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 194 give Baxter International 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 Baxter International is outperform, with an average price target of $61.94.

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