Linn Energy (Nasdaq: LINE) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 25. 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 Linn Energy's revenues will increase 86.7% and EPS will compress -36.4%.

The average estimate for revenue is $546.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.28.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Linn Energy reported revenue of $800.6 million. GAAP reported sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $305.1 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 $0.31. GAAP EPS of $1.19 for Q2 were 11% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.33 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 72.7%, 640 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 89.1%, 1,410 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 65.7%, 1,200 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.21 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.15.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,005 members out of 1,031 rating the stock outperform, and 26 members rating it underperform. Among 273 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 269 give Linn Energy a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Linn Energy is buy, with an average price target of $44.21.

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