United Technologies (NYSE: UTX) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 23. 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 United Technologies's revenues will grow 5.0% and EPS will contract -18.2%.

The average estimate for revenue is $15.55 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.17.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, United Technologies booked revenue of $13.81 billion. GAAP reported sales were 4.6% lower than the prior-year quarter's $14.47 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 $1.58. GAAP EPS of $1.47 for Q2 were 1.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.45 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 28.1%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.1%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.6%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $58.54 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.32.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,546 members out of 1,610 rating the stock outperform, and 64 members rating it underperform. Among 398 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 389 give United Technologies a green thumbs-up, and nine give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United Technologies is outperform, with an average price target of $94.63.

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