Hittite Microwave (Nasdaq: HITT) 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 Hittite Microwave's revenues will drop -2.7% and EPS will drop -26.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $66.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.54.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Hittite Microwave recorded revenue of $65.4 million. GAAP reported sales were 4.6% lower than the prior-year quarter's $68.5 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 $0.54. GAAP EPS of $0.56 for Q2 were 18% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.68 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 74.5%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 40.1%, 670 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 26.3%, 410 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $262.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.17.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 243 members out of 254 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 60 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 57 give Hittite Microwave a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Hittite Microwave is outperform, with an average price target of $56.25.

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