Medidata Solutions (Nasdaq: MDSO) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 30. 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 Medidata Solutions's revenues will grow 21.2% and EPS will drop -25.8%.

The average estimate for revenue is $56.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.23.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Medidata Solutions booked revenue of $53.5 million. GAAP reported sales were 6.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $50.2 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 $0.14. GAAP EPS of $0.14 for Q2 were 65% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.40 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 70.5%, 290 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.6%, 1,080 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.7%, 1,320 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $218.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.79.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 47 members out of 50 rating the stock outperform, and three members rating it underperform. Among 13 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 13 give Medidata Solutions a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Medidata Solutions is outperform, with an average price target of $32.00.