Westar Energy (NYSE: WR) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 8. 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 Westar Energy's revenues will expand 7.4% and EPS will grow 47.6%.

The average estimate for revenue is $511.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.31.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Westar Energy chalked up revenue of $523.8 million. GAAP reported sales were 7.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $486.2 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, EPS came in at $0.36. GAAP EPS of $0.36 for Q4 were 125% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.16 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 44.9%, 440 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.6%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.7%, 470 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.32 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.11.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 165 members out of 174 rating the stock outperform, and nine members rating it underperform. Among 62 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 60 give Westar Energy 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 Westar Energy is hold, with an average price target of $31.78.

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