Sanchez Energy (NYSE: SN) is expected to report Q1 earnings around May 7. 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 Sanchez Energy's revenues will increase 293.7% and EPS will grow 300.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $30.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.16.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Sanchez Energy booked revenue of $16.7 million. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $4.6 million.

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 $0.05. GAAP EPS were -$0.04 for Q4 versus -$0.06 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 88.4%, 340 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.7%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.4%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $273.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.31.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 23 members out of 25 rating the stock outperform, and two members rating it underperform. Among six CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), six give Sanchez Energy 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 Sanchez Energy is buy, with an average price target of $28.20.

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