Williams Partners (NYSE: WPZ) 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 Williams Partners's revenues will expand 4.0% and EPS will decrease -52.4%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.88 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.50.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Williams Partners tallied revenue of $1.53 billion. GAAP reported sales were 8.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.67 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 $0.38. GAAP EPS of $0.68 for Q3 were 42% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.18 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 28.7%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.8%, 420 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.5%, 490 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $6.64 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.99.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 262 members out of 275 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 102 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 98 give Williams Partners a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Williams Partners is outperform, with an average price target of $60.58.

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