Maxwell Technologies (Nasdaq: MXWL) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Feb. 16. 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 Maxwell Technologies's revenues will wane -7.8% and EPS will grow 33.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $39.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.08.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Maxwell Technologies reported revenue of $43.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 6.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $41.1 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 $0.21. GAAP EPS of $0.19 for Q3 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.01 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 41.8%, 150 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.5%, 1,050 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.3%, 1,160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $163.2 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.48.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 396 members out of 431 rating the stock outperform, and 35 members rating it underperform. Among 79 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 66 give Maxwell Technologies a green thumbs-up, and 13 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Maxwell Technologies is hold, with an average price target of $9.43.

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