Hershey (NYSE: HSY) is expected to report Q1 earnings on April 25. 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 Hershey's revenues will grow 6.4% and EPS will increase 8.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.84 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.04.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Hershey booked revenue of $1.75 billion. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.57 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 $0.74. GAAP EPS of $0.66 for Q4 were 6.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.62 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 43.3%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.6%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.6%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $7.10 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.65.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 531 members out of 638 rating the stock outperform, and 107 members rating it underperform. Among 213 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 190 give Hershey a green thumbs-up, and 23 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Hershey is hold, with an average price target of $75.06.

Selling to fickle consumers is a tough business for Hershey or anyone else in the space. But some companies are better equipped to face the future than others. In a new report, we'll give you the rundown on three companies that are setting themselves up to dominate retail. Click here for instant access to this free report.