Exar (Nasdaq: EXAR) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Jan. 23. 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 Exar's revenues will grow 5.9% and EPS will drop -275.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $31.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.07.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Exar logged revenue of $30.6 million. GAAP reported sales were 15% lower than the prior-year quarter's $36.1 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 $0.06. GAAP EPS were $0.01 for Q2 versus -$0.02 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 46.3%, 250 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -0.3%, 380 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.9%, 390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $123.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.23.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 75 members out of 80 rating the stock outperform, and five members rating it underperform. Among 20 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 19 give Exar a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Exar is outperform, with an average price target of $9.73.

Is Exar the best semiconductor stock for you? You may be missing something obvious. Check out the semiconductor company that Motley Fool analysts expect to lead "The Next Trillion-dollar Revolution." Click here for instant access to this free report.