Rambus (Nasdaq: RMBS) is expected to report Q3 earnings on 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 Rambus's revenues will contract -42.3% and EPS will grow from $0.00 per share the prior year.

The average estimate for revenue is $57.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.22.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Rambus tallied revenue of $56.2 million. GAAP reported sales were 15% lower than the prior-year quarter's $66.2 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, EPS came in at -$0.29. GAAP EPS were -$0.29 for Q2 versus -$0.10 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 86.9%, 400 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -28.9%, 4,360 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -57.3%, 4,130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $242.8 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.92.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 432 members out of 526 rating the stock outperform, and 94 members rating it underperform. Among 85 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 61 give Rambus a green thumbs-up, and 24 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Rambus is outperform, with an average price target of $7.17.

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