Praxair (NYSE: PX) 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 Praxair's revenues will contract -0.6% and EPS will increase 1.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.78 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.38.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Praxair logged revenue of $2.77 billion. GAAP reported sales were 4.2% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.90 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 $1.39. GAAP EPS of $1.43 for Q3 were 2.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.40 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 42.5%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.5%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.5%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $11.21 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.57.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 670 members out of 695 rating the stock outperform, and 25 members rating it underperform. Among 162 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 160 give Praxair a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Praxair is outperform, with an average price target of $117.28.

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