Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL) 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 Noble Energy's revenues will contract -7.4% and EPS will wane -29.7%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.08 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.23.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Noble Energy recorded revenue of $1.17 billion. GAAP reported sales were 31% higher than the prior-year quarter's $850.0 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.65. GAAP EPS were $1.41 for Q4 versus -$1.67 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 83.7%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 31.9%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 22.6%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $5.16 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.65.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 398 members out of 415 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 85 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 80 give Noble Energy a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Noble Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $120.75.

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