United States Cellular (NYSE: USM) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 3. 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 United States Cellular's revenues will increase 0.4% and EPS will compress -98.6%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.10 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.01.

Revenue details
Last quarter, United States Cellular logged revenue of $1.12 billion. GAAP reported sales were 1.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.10 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 -$0.29. GAAP EPS were -$0.47 for Q4 against $0.03 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 52.4%, 480 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -1.2%, 300 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -3.6%, 390 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $4.17 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.37.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 36 members out of 59 rating the stock outperform, and 23 members rating it underperform. Among 16 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 11 give United States Cellular a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United States Cellular is hold, with an average price target of $38.43.

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