Will These Numbers from SPX Be Good Enough for You?

SPX (NYSE: SPW  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Feb. 13. 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 SPX's revenues will wane -7.3% and EPS will decrease -11.2%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.38 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.58.

Revenue details
Last quarter, SPX reported revenue of $1.25 billion. GAAP reported sales were 7.2% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.17 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 $1.06. GAAP EPS of $1.16 for Q3 were 3.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.20 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 27.0%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.4%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.6%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $5.06 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.59.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 166 members out of 177 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 46 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 43 give SPX a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on SPX is outperform, with an average price target of $77.47.

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