Pacira Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PCRX) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 8. 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 Pacira Pharmaceuticals's revenues will increase 69.4% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $13.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.42.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Pacira Pharmaceuticals booked revenue of $10.5 million. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $4.2 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 -$0.50. GAAP EPS were -$0.51 for Q4 against -$0.72 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 38.0%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -120.9%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -156.4%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $74.6 million. The average EPS estimate is -$1.22.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 23 members out of 34 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among eight CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), five give Pacira Pharmaceuticals 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 Pacira Pharmaceuticals is buy, with an average price target of $21.20.