General Cable (NYSE: BGC) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 29. 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 General Cable's revenues will shrink -3.0% and EPS will increase 100.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.47 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.66.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, General Cable logged revenue of $1.48 billion. GAAP reported sales were 3.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.53 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 $0.74. GAAP EPS of $0.43 for Q2 were 37% 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 12.0%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 5.3%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.5%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $5.88 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.46.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 610 members out of 637 rating the stock outperform, and 27 members rating it underperform. Among 149 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 142 give General Cable a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on General Cable is outperform, with an average price target of $44.00.