National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV) 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 National Oilwell Varco's revenues will grow 42.2% and EPS will expand 19.8%.

The average estimate for revenue is $5.32 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.51.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, National Oilwell Varco booked revenue of $4.73 billion. GAAP reported sales were 35% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.51 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 $1.46. GAAP EPS of $1.42 for Q2 were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.13 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 27.6%, 320 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.6%, 160 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.8%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $19.86 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.96.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 3,541 members out of 3,591 rating the stock outperform, and 50 members rating it underperform. Among 832 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 824 give National Oilwell Varco a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on National Oilwell Varco is outperform, with an average price target of $95.14.

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