Atmos Energy (NYSE: ATO) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Aug. 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 Atmos Energy's revenues will increase 2.6% and EPS will increase 15.6%.

The average estimate for revenue is $601.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.37.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Atmos Energy reported revenue of $1.31 billion. GAAP reported sales were 6.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.23 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures are normalized by S&P Capital IQ and may vary to maintain comparability with normalized estimates.

EPS details
 Last quarter, non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.25. GAAP EPS of $1.27 for Q2 were 5.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.20 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures are normalized by S&P Capital IQ and may vary to maintain comparability with normalized estimates.

Recent performance
 For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 24.6%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 16.1%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.9%, much about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $3.47 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.47.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 109 members out of 125 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 40 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 36 give Atmos Energy a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Atmos Energy is hold, with an average price target of $39.13.

Can your portfolio provide you with enough income to last through retirement? You'll need more than Atmos Energy. Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks." Click here for instant access to this free report.