TravelCenters of America (AMEX: TA) is expected to report Q4 earnings on March 13. 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 TravelCenters of America's revenues will expand 0.3% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.93 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.11.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, TravelCenters of America reported revenue of $2.03 billion. GAAP reported sales were 2.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.09 billion.

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 $0.67. GAAP EPS of $0.66 for Q3 were 11% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.74 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 5.3%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 1.0%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.9%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $8.00 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.11.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 91 members out of 104 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 39 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 33 give TravelCenters of America a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on TravelCenters of America is outperform, with an average price target of $6.50.

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