Applied Materials (Nasdaq: AMAT) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Nov. 15. 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 Applied Materials's revenues will decrease -27.8% and EPS will compress -85.7%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.57 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.03.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Applied Materials logged revenue of $2.34 billion. GAAP reported sales were 16% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.79 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 $0.24. GAAP EPS of $0.17 for Q3 were 53% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.36 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 40.2%, 230 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.7%, 640 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.3%, 780 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $8.66 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.72.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,017 members out of 2,126 rating the stock outperform, and 109 members rating it underperform. Among 429 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 407 give Applied Materials a green thumbs-up, and 22 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Applied Materials is outperform, with an average price target of $13.24.

Can your portfolio provide you with enough income to last through retirement? You'll need more than Applied Materials. Learn how to maximize your investment income and get "The 3 DOW Stocks Dividend Investors Need." Click here for instant access to this free report.