L-3 Communications Holdings (NYSE: LLL) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Jan. 30. 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 L-3 Communications Holdings's revenues will wither -13.8% and EPS will wane -13.1%.

The average estimate for revenue is $3.46 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $2.12.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, L-3 Communications Holdings recorded revenue of $3.28 billion. GAAP reported sales were 0.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $3.30 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 $1.94. GAAP EPS of $1.97 for Q3 were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.24 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 10.1%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.1%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.8%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $13.05 billion. The average EPS estimate is $7.88.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 883 members out of 919 rating the stock outperform, and 36 members rating it underperform. Among 239 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 231 give L-3 Communications Holdings a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on L-3 Communications Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $75.00.

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