Ralcorp Holdings (NYSE: RAH) is expected to report Q1 earnings around 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 Ralcorp Holdings's revenues will contract -14.5% and EPS will wither -23.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.18 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.02.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Ralcorp Holdings recorded revenue of $1.07 billion. GAAP reported sales were 7.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $990.4 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.71. GAAP EPS were -$0.80 for Q4 against -$7.72 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 19.8%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.5%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -4.1%, 3,870 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $4.44 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.71.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 132 members out of 143 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 51 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 51 give Ralcorp Holdings a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ralcorp Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $76.50.

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