Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 24. 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 Eli Lilly's revenues will wither -8.5% and EPS will drop -27.4%.

The average estimate for revenue is $5.62 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.82.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Eli Lilly chalked up revenue of $5.60 billion. GAAP reported sales were 10% lower than the prior-year quarter's $6.25 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 $0.83. GAAP EPS of $0.83 for Q2 were 22% lower 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 79.5%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.5%, 600 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 16.5%, 260 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $22.70 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.39.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,255 members out of 1,353 rating the stock outperform, and 98 members rating it underperform. Among 411 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 389 give Eli Lilly a green thumbs-up, and 22 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Eli Lilly is hold, with an average price target of $39.03.

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