Air Methods (Nasdaq: AIRM) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 9. 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 Air Methods's revenues will wane -2.5% and EPS will shrink to a loss.

The average estimate for revenue is $186.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.05.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Air Methods reported revenue of $216.2 million. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $193.3 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, EPS came in at $0.55. GAAP EPS of $0.55 for Q4 were 72% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.32 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 40.5%, 320 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.4%, 470 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.9%, 350 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $908.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.08.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 261 members out of 280 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 74 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 71 give Air Methods a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Air Methods is outperform, with an average price target of $42.00.

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