MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Jan. 20. 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 MEMC Electronic Materials's revenues will shrink -13.3% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $669.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.01.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, MEMC Electronic Materials reported revenue of $708.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $516.2 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at -$0.10. GAAP EPS were $0.16 for Q3 compared to -$0.41 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 14.4%, 300 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 0.1%, 870 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.2%, 2,450 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.78 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.07.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,798 members out of 1,869 rating the stock outperform, and 71 members rating it underperform. Among 381 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 361 give MEMC Electronic Materials a green thumbs-up, and 20 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on MEMC Electronic Materials is hold, with an average price target of $4.40.

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