Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 26. 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 Arch Coal's revenues will decrease -14.2% and EPS will shrink to a loss.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.03 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.15.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Arch Coal tallied revenue of $1.06 billion. GAAP reported sales were 7.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $985.5 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 -$0.10. GAAP EPS were -$2.05 for Q2 compared to $0.04 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 17.1%, 1,030 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.9%, 970 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -40.9%, 4,150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $4.17 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.43.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,495 members out of 1,572 rating the stock outperform, and 77 members rating it underperform. Among 313 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 298 give Arch Coal a green thumbs-up, and 15 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Arch Coal is hold, with an average price target of $11.29.

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