Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Jan. 22. 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 Albemarle's revenues will decrease -8.7% and EPS will decrease -9.9%.

The average estimate for revenue is $646.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.00.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Albemarle booked revenue of $661.2 million. GAAP reported sales were 8.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $723.0 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 $1.10. GAAP EPS of $1.10 for Q3 were 14% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.28 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 32.5%, 320 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.4%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.0%, 110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.70 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.57.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 221 members out of 235 rating the stock outperform, and 14 members rating it underperform. Among 74 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 72 give Albemarle 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 Albemarle is outperform, with an average price target of $68.00.

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