United Continental Holdings (NYSE: UAL) is expected to report Q1 earnings around Jan. 26. 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 United Continental Holdings's revenues will grow 1.2% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $8.70 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.51.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, United Continental Holdings booked revenue of $8.70 billion. GAAP reported sales were 2.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $8.93 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 -$0.58. GAAP EPS were -$1.87 for Q4 compared to -$0.49 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 21.7%, 270 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -0.3%, 360 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -7.1%, 560 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $38.48 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.84.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 388 members out of 786 rating the stock outperform, and 398 members rating it underperform. Among 199 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 93 give United Continental Holdings a green thumbs-up, and 106 give it a red thumbs-down.

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