Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (NYSE: LH) is expected to report Q1 earnings around April 19. 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 Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings's revenues will grow 1.8% and EPS will increase 9.9%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.45 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.77.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings logged revenue of $1.41 billion. GAAP reported sales were 2.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.37 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 $1.54. GAAP EPS of $1.26 for Q4 were 6.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.34 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 38.3%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.8%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.6%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $5.79 billion. The average EPS estimate is $7.13.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 668 members out of 690 rating the stock outperform, and 22 members rating it underperform. Among 209 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 205 give Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings 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 Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $93.28.

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