Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is expected to report Q3 earnings around Oct. 15. 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 Johnson & Johnson's revenues will increase 6.0% and EPS will contract -2.4%.

The average estimate for revenue is $16.96 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.21.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Johnson & Johnson reported revenue of $16.48 billion. GAAP reported sales were 0.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $16.60 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.30. GAAP EPS of $0.50 for Q2 were 50% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.00 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 68.8%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 27.9%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.5%, 820 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $67.31 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.07.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 13,571 members out of 14,064 rating the stock outperform, and 493 members rating it underperform. Among 3,233 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 3,165 give Johnson & Johnson a green thumbs-up, and 68 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Johnson & Johnson is outperform, with an average price target of $71.47.

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