PMC-Sierra (Nasdaq: PMCS) 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 PMC-Sierra's revenues will contract -22.5% and EPS will wane -50.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $134.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.09.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, PMC-Sierra tallied revenue of $137.8 million. GAAP reported sales were 19% lower than the prior-year quarter's $171.0 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 $0.09. GAAP EPS of $0.12 for Q2 were 71% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.07 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 70.1%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -0.8%, 1,340 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.2%, 940 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $546.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.35.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 216 members out of 236 rating the stock outperform, and 20 members rating it underperform. Among 43 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 39 give PMC-Sierra a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on PMC-Sierra is hold, with an average price target of $7.53.

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