Veeco Instruments (Nasdaq: VECO) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Feb. 4. 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 Veeco Instruments's revenues will shrink -43.5% and EPS will wither -86.1%.

The average estimate for revenue is $108.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.10.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Veeco Instruments logged revenue of $126.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 53% lower than the prior-year quarter's $268.0 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 $0.34. GAAP EPS of $0.34 for Q3 were 62% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.89 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 42.3%, 430 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.4%, 1,820 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.6%, 280 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $510.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.31.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 394 members out of 424 rating the stock outperform, and 30 members rating it underperform. Among 89 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 81 give Veeco Instruments a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Veeco Instruments is hold, with an average price target of $35.80.

Is Veeco Instruments 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.