UIL Holdings (NYSE: UIL) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 2. 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 UIL Holdings's revenues will expand 9.4% and EPS will increase 5.4%.

The average estimate for revenue is $501.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.97.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, UIL Holdings logged revenue of $420.8 million. GAAP reported sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $373.6 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 Q4 were 37% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.41 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 34.2%, 390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 16.0%, 390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.9%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.55 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.18.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 70 members out of 74 rating the stock outperform, and four members rating it underperform. Among 26 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 25 give UIL Holdings a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on UIL Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $36.86.

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