VMware (NYSE: VMW) 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 VMware's revenues will increase 20.4% and EPS will grow 18.9%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.13 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.63.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, VMware chalked up revenue of $1.12 billion. GAAP reported sales were 22% higher than the prior-year quarter's $921.2 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 $0.68. GAAP EPS of $0.44 for Q2 were 14% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.51 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 84.0%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.9%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.1%, 680 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $4.59 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.70.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,134 members out of 2,318 rating the stock outperform, and 184 members rating it underperform. Among 501 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 460 give VMware a green thumbs-up, and 41 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on VMware is outperform, with an average price target of $120.12.

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