Gastar Exploration (AMEX: GST) is expected to report Q2 earnings on Aug. 5. 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 Gastar Exploration's revenues will expand 72.1% and EPS will turn positive

The average estimate for revenue is $24.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.08.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Gastar Exploration logged revenue of $20.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 96% higher than the prior-year quarter's $10.7 million.

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 $0.09. GAAP EPS were -$0.07 for Q1 compared to -$0.10 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 82.6%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -4.1%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -21.9%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $95.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.34.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 304 members out of 321 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 43 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 39 give Gastar Exploration 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 Gastar Exploration is outperform, with an average price target of $1.69.

Is Gastar Exploration the right energy stock for you? Read about a handful of timely, profit-producing plays on expensive crude in "3 Stocks for $100 Oil." Click here for instant access to this free report.