Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SHLD) is expected to report Q3 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 Sears Holdings's revenues will contract -8.9% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $8.71 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$2.32.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Sears Holdings booked revenue of $9.47 billion. GAAP reported sales were 6.6% lower than the prior-year quarter's $10.14 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 -$0.86. GAAP EPS were -$1.25 for Q2 compared to -$1.37 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 26.7%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -1.0%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -1.4%, about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $39.15 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$1.99.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,474 members out of 2,331 rating the stock outperform, and 857 members rating it underperform. Among 576 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 338 give Sears Holdings a green thumbs-up, and 238 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Sears Holdings is underperform, with an average price target of $29.00.

If you're invested in retailers like Sears Holdings, you should check out the concept that is The Motley Fool's top stock for 2012. Its founder wrote the book on big box retailing, and it's growing in increasingly important international markets. Click here for instant access to this free report.