Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL) 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 Noble Energy's revenues will expand 12.9% and EPS will drop -16.1%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.04 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.04.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Noble Energy booked revenue of $966.0 million. GAAP reported sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $794.0 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 $0.77. GAAP EPS of $1.58 for Q2 were 2.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.62 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 81.9%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 39.9%, 270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 31.3%, 570 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $4.30 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.83.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 390 members out of 406 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 99 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 93 give Noble Energy a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Noble Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $118.17.

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