Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) is expected to report Q1 earnings on April 24. 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 Northrop Grumman's revenues will contract -3.8% and EPS will wane -12.8%.

The average estimate for revenue is $5.96 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.71.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Northrop Grumman reported revenue of $6.48 billion. GAAP reported sales were 0.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $6.51 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, EPS came in at $2.14. GAAP EPS of $2.14 for Q4 were 2.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.08 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 24.1%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.7%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.2%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $23.99 billion. The average EPS estimate is $7.02.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 799 members out of 863 rating the stock outperform, and 64 members rating it underperform. Among 262 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 250 give Northrop Grumman a green thumbs-up, and 12 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Northrop Grumman is hold, with an average price target of $65.80.

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