MDC Holdings (NYSE: MDC) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Jan. 31. 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 MDC Holdings's revenues will expand 47.5% and EPS will wane -207.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $364.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.43.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, MDC Holdings logged revenue of $335.1 million. GAAP reported sales were 58% higher than the prior-year quarter's $211.9 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, EPS came in at $0.41. GAAP EPS were $0.41 for Q3 against -$0.68 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 17.6%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.2%, 1,000 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.0%, 2,100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.16 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.11.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 478 members out of 630 rating the stock outperform, and 152 members rating it underperform. Among 229 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 177 give MDC Holdings a green thumbs-up, and 52 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on MDC Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $35.50.

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