Helix Energy Solutions Group (NYSE: HLX) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 22. 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 Helix Energy Solutions Group's revenues will contract -5.9% and EPS will drop -9.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $350.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.39.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Helix Energy Solutions Group notched revenue of $347.4 million. GAAP reported sales were 2.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $338.3 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 $0.51. GAAP EPS of $0.42 for Q2 were 7.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.39 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 34.5%, 400 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 26.9%, 460 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.9%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.46 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.97.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 923 members out of 961 rating the stock outperform, and 38 members rating it underperform. Among 227 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 220 give Helix Energy Solutions Group a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Helix Energy Solutions Group is outperform, with an average price target of $22.33.

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