Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX) is expected to report Q3 earnings around Oct. 21. 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 Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold's revenues will shrink -16.0% and EPS will contract -34.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $4.37 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.72.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold reported revenue of $4.48 billion. GAAP reported sales were 23% lower than the prior-year quarter's $5.81 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 $0.80. GAAP EPS of $0.74 for Q2 were 48% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.43 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 41.4%, 1,460 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 29.3%, 1,810 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.9%, 760 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $18.71 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.37.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 5,750 members out of 5,941 rating the stock outperform, and 191 members rating it underperform. Among 1,162 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 1,126 give Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold a green thumbs-up, and 36 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold is outperform, with an average price target of $50.41.

Is Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold the right metals stock for you? Find out the best way to profit from inflation and gold with a little-known company we profile in, "The Tiny Gold Stock Digging Up Massive Profits." Click here for instant access to this free report.