Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Jan. 22. 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 Norfolk Southern's revenues will contract -4.7% and EPS will wither -13.7%.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.67 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.20.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Norfolk Southern logged revenue of $2.69 billion. GAAP reported sales were 6.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.89 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 $1.24. GAAP EPS of $1.25 for Q3 were 21% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.59 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 35.7%, 430 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 27.1%, 540 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.9%, 430 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $11.02 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.28.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,229 members out of 1,261 rating the stock outperform, and 32 members rating it underperform. Among 368 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 363 give Norfolk Southern a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Norfolk Southern is outperform, with an average price target of $79.04.

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