Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE: HOV) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Sep. 6. 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 Hovnanian Enterprises's revenues will grow 39.1% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $397.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.15.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Hovnanian Enterprises reported revenue of $341.7 million. GAAP reported sales were 34% higher than the prior-year quarter's $255.1 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at -$0.14. GAAP EPS were $0.02 for Q2 versus -$0.69 per share for 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 19.0%, 350 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.8%, 990 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.5%, 2,900 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.44 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.66.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 476 members out of 1,044 rating the stock outperform, and 568 members rating it underperform. Among 285 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 91 give Hovnanian Enterprises a green thumbs-up, and 194 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Hovnanian Enterprises is hold, with an average price target of $1.91.