Ingersoll-Rand Plc (NYSE: IR) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 19. 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 Ingersoll-Rand Plc's revenues will contract -7.1% and EPS will increase 21.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $3.65 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.98.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Ingersoll-Rand Plc chalked up revenue of $3.82 billion. GAAP reported sales were 6.6% lower than the prior-year quarter's $4.09 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 $1.15. GAAP EPS of $1.16 for Q2 were 346% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.26 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 30.9%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.6%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.6%, 730 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $14.12 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.21.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 975 members out of 1,005 rating the stock outperform, and 30 members rating it underperform. Among 305 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 300 give Ingersoll-Rand Plc a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ingersoll-Rand Plc is outperform, with an average price target of $45.95.