Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Jan. 18. 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 Delta Air Lines's revenues will increase 2.5% and EPS will compress -37.8%.

The average estimate for revenue is $8.61 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.28.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Delta Air Lines recorded revenue of $9.92 billion. GAAP reported sales were 1.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $9.82 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 $0.90. GAAP EPS of $1.23 for Q3 were 89% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.65 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 22.9%, 110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.2%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.6%, 500 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $36.67 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.82.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 547 members out of 930 rating the stock outperform, and 383 members rating it underperform. Among 215 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 130 give Delta Air Lines a green thumbs-up, and 85 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Delta Air Lines is outperform, with an average price target of $14.38.

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