Nielsen Holdings (NYSE: NLSN) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 22. 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 Nielsen Holdings's revenues will increase 1.7% and EPS will increase 4.2%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.44 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.50.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Nielsen Holdings booked revenue of $1.39 billion. GAAP reported sales were 0.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.40 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 $0.42. GAAP EPS of $0.28 for Q2 were 47% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.19 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 59.3%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.3%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.5%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $5.65 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.80.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 21 members out of 24 rating the stock outperform, and three members rating it underperform. Among four CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), four give Nielsen Holdings a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Nielsen Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $34.36.