Are You Expecting This from NRG Energy?

NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Feb. 22. 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 NRG Energy's revenues will grow 29.1% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.75 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.08.

Revenue details
Last quarter, NRG Energy booked revenue of $2.33 billion. GAAP reported sales were 13% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.67 billion.

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 $0.25. GAAP EPS were -$0.01 for Q3 versus -$0.24 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 26.0%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.5%, 310 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.0%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $8.93 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.35.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 701 members out of 718 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 212 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 208 give NRG 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 NRG Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $25.08.

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