Thoratec (Nasdaq: THOR) is expected to report Q2 earnings on July 31. 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 Thoratec's revenues will grow 2.6% and EPS will compress -4.4%.

The average estimate for revenue is $121.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.43.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Thoratec logged revenue of $117.7 million. GAAP reported sales were 7.1% lower than the prior-year quarter's $126.8 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 $0.41. GAAP EPS of $0.31 for Q1 were 28% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.43 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 70.2%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.9%, 930 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.4%, 470 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $495.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.75.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 147 members out of 167 rating the stock outperform, and 20 members rating it underperform. Among 47 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 39 give Thoratec a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Thoratec is outperform, with an average price target of $39.68.

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