Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 17. 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 Albemarle's revenues will wither -7.2% and EPS will decrease -12.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $671.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.12.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Albemarle booked revenue of $684.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 7.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $742.1 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 $1.24. GAAP EPS of $0.42 for Q2 were 66% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.23 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 35.4%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.5%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.5%, 990 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.76 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.66.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 220 members out of 234 rating the stock outperform, and 14 members rating it underperform. Among 64 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 62 give Albemarle a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Albemarle is outperform, with an average price target of $72.00.