Solazyme (Nasdaq: SZYM) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 20. 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 Solazyme's revenues will wane -40.3% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $8.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.31.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Solazyme tallied revenue of $8.6 million. GAAP reported sales were 4.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $8.9 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 -$0.32. GAAP EPS were -$0.37 for Q3 compared to -$0.24 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 84.5%, 930 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -269.5%, 11,270 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -262.2%, 10,460 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $44.7 million. The average EPS estimate is -$1.11.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 365 members out of 384 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 85 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 77 give Solazyme 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 Solazyme is outperform, with an average price target of $18.50.

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