Danaher (NYSE: DHR) 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 Danaher's revenues will contract -0.1% and EPS will grow 8.2%.

The average estimate for revenue is $4.52 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.79.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Danaher reported revenue of $4.55 billion. GAAP reported sales were 25% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.64 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, EPS came in at $0.84. GAAP EPS of $0.84 for Q2 were 11% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.94 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 51.7%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.4%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.2%, 460 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $18.28 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.23.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 519 members out of 543 rating the stock outperform, and 24 members rating it underperform. Among 151 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 148 give Danaher 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 Danaher is outperform, with an average price target of $60.45.