Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 28. 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 Nektar Therapeutics's revenues will grow 21.2% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $19.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.45.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Nektar Therapeutics logged revenue of $18.4 million. GAAP reported sales were 32% lower than the prior-year quarter's $27.1 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 -$0.38. GAAP EPS were -$0.38 for Q3 compared to -$0.21 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 60.7%, 2,070 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -178.7%, 9,990 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -236.5%, 14,760 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $79.2 million. The average EPS estimate is -$1.48.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 199 members out of 229 rating the stock outperform, and 30 members rating it underperform. Among 57 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 44 give Nektar Therapeutics a green thumbs-up, and 13 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Nektar Therapeutics is outperform, with an average price target of $12.36.

Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor of Motley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.