Apache (NYSE: APA) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 14. 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 Apache's revenues will increase 2.1% and EPS will decrease -20.7%.

The average estimate for revenue is $4.39 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $2.33.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Apache recorded revenue of $4.18 billion. GAAP reported sales were 3.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $4.27 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 $2.16. GAAP EPS of $0.41 for Q3 were 84% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.51 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 79.8%, 430 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 39.8%, 1,060 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.4%, 1,900 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $16.97 billion. The average EPS estimate is $9.64.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,100 members out of 2,155 rating the stock outperform, and 55 members rating it underperform. Among 454 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 445 give Apache a green thumbs-up, and nine give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Apache is outperform, with an average price target of $113.52.

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