Arcos Dorados Holdings (NYSE: ARCO) is expected to report Q4 earnings on March 8. 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 Arcos Dorados Holdings's revenues will expand 7.2% and EPS will drop -12.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.03 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.21.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Arcos Dorados Holdings tallied revenue of $961.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 2.2% lower than the prior-year quarter's $984.0 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 $0.16. GAAP EPS of $0.16 for Q3 were 78% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.09 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 14.9%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.2%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.4%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $3.83 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.52.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 612 members out of 627 rating the stock outperform, and 15 members rating it underperform. Among 156 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 153 give Arcos Dorados Holdings a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Arcos Dorados Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $17.16.

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