Matthews International (Nasdaq: MATW) is expected to report Q1 earnings on Jan. 17. 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 Matthews International's revenues will increase 1.5% and EPS will compress -2.1%.

The average estimate for revenue is $220.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.46.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Matthews International reported revenue of $230.1 million. GAAP reported sales were 4.1% lower than the prior-year quarter's $239.8 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 $0.61. GAAP EPS of $0.47 for Q4 were 34% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.71 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 37.4%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.5%, 430 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.6%, 300 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $950.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.51.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 86 members out of 86 rating the stock outperform, and members rating it underperform. Among 34 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 34 give Matthews International a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Matthews International is outperform, with an average price target of $39.00.

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