Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (NYSE: LH) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 8. 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 Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings's revenues will grow 2.0% and EPS will increase 13.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.39 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.62.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings reported revenue of $1.42 billion. GAAP reported sales were 1.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.40 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 $1.76. GAAP EPS of $1.53 for Q3 were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.31 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 39.2%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.2%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.4%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $5.66 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.89.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 672 members out of 693 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 216 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 213 give Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $94.58.

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