Ralcorp Holdings (NYSE: RAH) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Nov. 9. 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 Ralcorp Holdings's revenues will contract -10.4% and EPS will drop -35.8%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.10 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.86.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Ralcorp Holdings notched revenue of $1.03 billion. GAAP reported sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $927.8 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 $0.60. GAAP EPS of $0.53 for Q3 were 6.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.50 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 19.9%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.3%, 170 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.9%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $4.35 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.15.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 135 members out of 146 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 53 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 51 give Ralcorp Holdings a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ralcorp Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $76.00.