Darling International (NYSE: DAR) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 27. 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 Darling International's revenues will expand 1.8% and EPS will increase 16.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $438.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Darling International notched revenue of $452.7 million. GAAP reported sales were 0.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $455.9 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, EPS came in at $0.31. GAAP EPS of $0.31 for Q3 were 11% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.35 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 27.6%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.5%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.2%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.72 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.16.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,194 members out of 1,221 rating the stock outperform, and 27 members rating it underperform. Among 291 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 287 give Darling International 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 Darling International is hold, with an average price target of $19.93.

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