Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE: ANR) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 2. 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 Alpha Natural Resources's revenues will wane -31.2% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.33 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.56.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Alpha Natural Resources logged revenue of $1.56 billion. GAAP reported sales were 20% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.94 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 -$0.19. GAAP EPS were -$0.58 for Q4 versus -$3.62 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 30.2%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.8%, 550 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -8.2%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $5.31 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$2.19.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 858 members out of 916 rating the stock outperform, and 58 members rating it underperform. Among 143 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 126 give Alpha Natural Resources a green thumbs-up, and 17 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Alpha Natural Resources is hold, with an average price target of $10.38.

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