Foster Wheeler (Nasdaq: FWLT) is expected to report Q4 earnings on March 1. 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 Foster Wheeler's revenues will drop -13.0% and EPS will increase 17.9%.

The average estimate for revenue is $981.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.46.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Foster Wheeler booked revenue of $803.2 million. GAAP reported sales were 29% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.13 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 $0.56. GAAP EPS of $0.54 for Q3 were 74% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.31 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 19.2%, 720 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.2%, 360 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.2%, 390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $3.67 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.70.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,632 members out of 1,682 rating the stock outperform, and 50 members rating it underperform. Among 375 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 367 give Foster Wheeler a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Foster Wheeler is outperform, with an average price target of $28.50.

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