Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Feb. 25. 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 Boyd Gaming's revenues will grow 3.5% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $627.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.13.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Boyd Gaming reported revenue of $613.3 million. GAAP reported sales were 3.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $590.2 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 -$0.11. GAAP EPS were -$0.18 for Q3 against $0.04 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 47.5%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.8%, 410 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -2.6%, 310 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.49 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.11.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 383 members out of 441 rating the stock outperform, and 58 members rating it underperform. Among 120 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 103 give Boyd Gaming a green thumbs-up, and 17 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Boyd Gaming is hold, with an average price target of $5.99.

With hundreds of companies out there vying with Boyd Gaming for shoppers' dollars, strong brands matter, and they can provide growth for even boring, mature companies -- as long as they're the right ones. That's why we've compiled a special report on "3 American Companies Set to Dominate the World." Click here for instant access to this free report.