Becton, Dickinson (NYSE: BDX) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Aug. 1. 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 Becton, Dickinson's revenues will grow 3.5% and EPS will drop -2.6%.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.05 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.48.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Becton, Dickinson booked revenue of $2.00 billion. GAAP reported sales were 3.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.93 billion.

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 $1.39. GAAP EPS of $1.39 were the same as the prior-year quarter.

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 50.9%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.3%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.8%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $8.00 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.74.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,122 members out of 1,145 rating the stock outperform, and 23 members rating it underperform. Among 400 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 396 give Becton, Dickinson a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Becton, Dickinson is hold, with an average price target of $88.53.

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