Rambus (Nasdaq: RMBS) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Jan. 24. 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 Rambus's revenues will contract -27.7% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $60.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.12.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Rambus reported revenue of $57.5 million. GAAP reported sales were 43% lower than the prior-year quarter's $100.3 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 -$0.52. GAAP EPS were -$0.52 for Q3 versus $0.00 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 86.9%, 570 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -4.0%, 3,900 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -101.0%, 10,150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $241.5 million. The average EPS estimate is -$1.19.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 431 members out of 521 rating the stock outperform, and 90 members rating it underperform. Among 77 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 60 give Rambus a green thumbs-up, and 17 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Rambus is outperform, with an average price target of $7.33.

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