AutoNation (NYSE: AN) 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 AutoNation's revenues will expand 12.8% and EPS will increase 37.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $3.96 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.66.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, AutoNation reported revenue of $3.90 billion. GAAP reported sales were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.34 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 $0.66. GAAP EPS of $0.64 for Q2 were 33% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.48 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 16.1%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.3%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.0%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $15.35 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.48.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 171 members out of 234 rating the stock outperform, and 63 members rating it underperform. Among 68 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 54 give AutoNation 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 AutoNation is hold, with an average price target of $34.00.

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