Linear Technology (Nasdaq: LLTC) is expected to report Q4 earnings on July 23. 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 Linear Technology's revenues will wane -2.1% and EPS will wither -4.4%.

The average estimate for revenue is $323.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.43.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Linear Technology reported revenue of $314.5 million. GAAP reported sales were 0.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $312.4 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 $0.48. GAAP EPS of $0.46 for Q3 were 9.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.42 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 74.8%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 44.0%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 35.3%, 380 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.28 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.75.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 698 members out of 734 rating the stock outperform, and 36 members rating it underperform. Among 269 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 263 give Linear Technology a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Linear Technology is hold, with an average price target of $37.03.

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