NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) is expected to report Q3 earnings around Oct. 31. 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 NRG Energy's revenues will grow 2.9% and EPS will grow 511.1%.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.75 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.55.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, NRG Energy reported revenue of $2.17 billion. GAAP reported sales were 4.9% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.28 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, EPS came in at $1.08. GAAP EPS of $1.08 for Q2 were 57% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.53 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 39.1%, 970 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.3%, 650 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.6%, 1,570 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $9.72 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.02.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 700 members out of 714 rating the stock outperform, and 14 members rating it underperform. Among 192 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 189 give NRG Energy 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 NRG Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $21.58.

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