Patterson-UTI Energy (Nasdaq: PTEN) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Jan. 31. 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 Patterson-UTI Energy's revenues will wane -17.3% and EPS will contract -52.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $599.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Patterson-UTI Energy chalked up revenue of $643.6 million. GAAP reported sales were 4.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $673.8 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 $0.39. GAAP EPS of $0.33 for Q3 were 38% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.53 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 38.3%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.4%, 470 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.9%, 430 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.67 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.78.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 792 members out of 842 rating the stock outperform, and 50 members rating it underperform. Among 211 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 197 give Patterson-UTI Energy a green thumbs-up, and 14 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Patterson-UTI Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $19.54.

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