Optimer Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: OPTR) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 28. 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 Optimer Pharmaceuticals's revenues will drop -72.0% and EPS will shrink to a loss.

The average estimate for revenue is $18.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.51.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Optimer Pharmaceuticals recorded revenue of $17.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 62% higher than the prior-year quarter's $11.1 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, EPS came in at -$0.56. GAAP EPS were -$0.56 for Q3 versus -$0.57 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 25.3%, 2,500 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -147.0%, 9,650 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -149.8%, 8,930 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $100.0 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 107 members out of 144 rating the stock outperform, and 37 members rating it underperform. Among 47 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 33 give Optimer Pharmaceuticals 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 Optimer Pharmaceuticals is outperform, with an average price target of $19.13.