MDC Holdings (NYSE: MDC) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 30. 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 MDC Holdings's revenues will increase 60.3% and EPS will contract -130.9%.

The average estimate for revenue is $338.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.21.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, MDC Holdings logged revenue of $268.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 25% higher than the prior-year quarter's $215.5 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, EPS came in at $0.22. GAAP EPS were $0.22 for Q2 versus -$0.60 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 16.0%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 1.4%, 980 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.0%, 1,700 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.15 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.75.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 480 members out of 635 rating the stock outperform, and 155 members rating it underperform. Among 220 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 161 give MDC Holdings a green thumbs-up, and 59 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on MDC Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $30.33.

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