United Continental Holdings (NYSE: UAL) is expected to report Q3 earnings around Oct. 25. 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 United Continental Holdings's revenues will wither -2.0% and EPS will drop -22.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $9.97 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.55.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, United Continental Holdings reported revenue of $9.94 billion. GAAP reported sales were 2.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $9.70 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.41. GAAP EPS of $0.89 for Q2 were 36% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.40 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 26.9%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.9%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.4%, 210 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $37.51 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.53.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 386 members out of 785 rating the stock outperform, and 399 members rating it underperform. Among 189 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 81 give United Continental Holdings a green thumbs-up, and 108 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United Continental Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $31.61.