Brocade Communications Systems (Nasdaq: BRCD) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Aug. 16. 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 Brocade Communications Systems's revenues will expand 6.8% and EPS will increase 33.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $536.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.12.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Brocade Communications Systems recorded revenue of $543.0 million. GAAP reported sales were 0.9% lower than the prior-year quarter's $548.4 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 $0.15. GAAP EPS of $0.08 for Q2 were 60% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.05 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 62.0%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.5%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.2%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.21 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.61.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 718 members out of 764 rating the stock outperform, and 46 members rating it underperform. Among 100 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 92 give Brocade Communications Systems a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Brocade Communications Systems is hold, with an average price target of $6.27.

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