Black Hills (NYSE: BKH) 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 Black Hills's revenues will grow 4.3% and EPS will increase 41.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $381.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.75.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Black Hills recorded revenue of $318.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $361.2 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 $0.68. GAAP EPS of $0.70 for Q4 were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.61 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 36.5%, 890 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 23.0%, 860 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.6%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.35 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.30.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 94 members out of 105 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 41 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 39 give Black Hills a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Black Hills is hold, with an average price target of $38.50.

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