DCP Midstream Partners (NYSE: DPM) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 6. 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 DCP Midstream Partners's revenues will expand 31.1% and EPS will shrink -20.8%.

The average estimate for revenue is $689.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.61.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, DCP Midstream Partners recorded revenue of $450.5 million. GAAP reported sales were 25% lower than the prior-year quarter's $575.8 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 $0.83. GAAP EPS were $0.87 for Q4 compared to -$0.19 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 19.5%, 460 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.2%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.2%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.42 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.11.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 229 members out of 240 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 72 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 71 give DCP Midstream Partners a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on DCP Midstream Partners is outperform, with an average price target of $49.13.

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