Bridgepoint Education (NYSE: BPI) is expected to report Q4 earnings on March 12. 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 Bridgepoint Education's revenues will wane -1.7% and EPS will shrink -29.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $217.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Bridgepoint Education tallied revenue of $252.1 million. GAAP reported sales were 3.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $242.8 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, EPS came in at $0.56. GAAP EPS of $0.56 for Q3 were 28% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.78 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 70.0%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.7%, 900 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.5%, 550 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $976.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.38.

Investor sentiment

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Bridgepoint Education is hold, with an average price target of $15.00.

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