Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Jan. 23. 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 Abbott Laboratories's revenues will grow 2.3% and EPS will grow 3.4%.

The average estimate for revenue is $10.62 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.50.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Abbott Laboratories booked revenue of $9.77 billion. GAAP reported sales were 0.4% lower 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 $1.30. GAAP EPS of $1.21 for Q3 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.19 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 62.9%, 340 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 23.8%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.9%, 1,680 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $39.72 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.05.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,542 members out of 2,632 rating the stock outperform, and 90 members rating it underperform. Among 654 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 637 give Abbott Laboratories a green thumbs-up, and 17 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Abbott Laboratories is hold, with an average price target of $68.14.

Is Abbott Laboratories the best health care stock for you? Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," including one above-average health care logistics company. Click here for instant access to this free report.
This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium advisory service. We’re motley! Questioning an investing thesis -- even one of our own -- helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer.