Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) is expected to report Q1 earnings on April 30. 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 Ecolab's revenues will expand 2.7% and EPS will increase 18.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.89 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.59.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Ecolab reported revenue of $3.05 billion. GAAP reported sales were 65% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.85 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 $0.89. GAAP EPS of $0.77 for Q4 were 120% higher 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 46.4%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.5%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.6%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $13.51 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.53.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 271 members out of 285 rating the stock outperform, and 14 members rating it underperform. Among 104 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 104 give Ecolab a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ecolab is outperform, with an average price target of $76.35.

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