Northwest Pipe (Nasdaq: NWPX) is expected to report Q1 earnings around May 10. 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 Northwest Pipe's revenues will compress -7.2% and EPS will wane -42.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $131.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Northwest Pipe reported revenue of $136.2 million. GAAP reported sales were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $117.1 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 $0.48. GAAP EPS of $0.48 for Q4 were 220% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.15 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 10.7%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 5.4%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.3%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $493.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.21.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 218 members out of 229 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 40 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 37 give Northwest Pipe a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Northwest Pipe is outperform, with an average price target of $27.67.

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