CSX (NYSE: CSX) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 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 CSX's revenues will decrease -0.9% and EPS will grow 2.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.94 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.44.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, CSX booked revenue of $3.01 billion. GAAP reported sales were 0.2% lower than the prior-year quarter's $3.02 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 $0.49. GAAP EPS of $0.49 for Q2 were 6.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.46 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 40.0%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 31.3%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.0%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,982 members out of 2,056 rating the stock outperform, and 74 members rating it underperform. Among 415 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 403 give CSX a green thumbs-up, and 12 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on CSX is outperform, with an average price target of $26.68.

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