General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 24. 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 General Dynamics's revenues will increase 2.4% and EPS will contract -2.7%.

The average estimate for revenue is $8.04 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.78.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, General Dynamics reported revenue of $7.92 billion. GAAP reported sales were 0.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $7.88 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, EPS came in at $1.77. GAAP EPS of $1.77 for Q2 were 0.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.76 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 18.9%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.2%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.0%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $32.32 billion. The average EPS estimate is $7.10.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,284 members out of 1,350 rating the stock outperform, and 66 members rating it underperform. Among 330 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 316 give General Dynamics a green thumbs-up, and 14 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on General Dynamics is outperform, with an average price target of $76.31.

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