NuVasive (Nasdaq: NUVA) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 26. 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 NuVasive's revenues will expand 3.8% and EPS will drop -22.2%.

The average estimate for revenue is $155.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.21.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, NuVasive logged revenue of $148.4 million. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $132.9 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 $0.23. GAAP EPS were $0.05 for Q3 versus -$1.69 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 74.6%, 580 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.5%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.6%, 5,240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $617.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.91.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 172 members out of 191 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 44 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 40 give NuVasive a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on NuVasive is outperform, with an average price target of $26.70.

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