Linear Technology (Nasdaq: LLTC) is expected to report Q2 earnings on Jan. 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 Linear Technology's revenues will expand 5.4% and EPS will decrease 0.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $310.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.40.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Linear Technology logged revenue of $335.1 million. GAAP reported sales were 1.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $329.9 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 $0.46. GAAP EPS of $0.45 for Q1 were 4.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.47 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 75.0%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 46.3%, 150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 31.4%, 150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.30 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.74.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 714 members out of 748 rating the stock outperform, and 34 members rating it underperform. Among 290 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 283 give Linear Technology a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Linear Technology is hold, with an average price target of $34.89.

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