UIL Holdings (NYSE: UIL) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 21. 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 UIL Holdings's revenues will grow 18.4% and EPS will grow 50.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $442.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.63.

Revenue details
Last quarter, UIL Holdings tallied revenue of $323.8 million. GAAP reported sales were 0.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $321.4 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, EPS came in at $0.31. GAAP EPS of $0.31 for Q3 were 29% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.24 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 35.2%, 340 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.1%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.9%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.50 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.08.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 71 members out of 74 rating the stock outperform, and three members rating it underperform. Among 28 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 27 give UIL Holdings a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on UIL Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $37.13.

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