Are You Expecting This from Affymetrix?

Affymetrix (Nasdaq: AFFX  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Feb. 2. 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 Affymetrix's revenues will grow 29.1% and EPS will remain in the red.

The average estimate for revenue is $84.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.03.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Affymetrix reported revenue of $79.6 million. GAAP reported sales were 24% higher than the prior-year quarter's $64.0 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 -$0.03. GAAP EPS were -$0.25 for Q3 versus -$0.14 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 58.0%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -5.9%, 330 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -22.4%, 710 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $295.2 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.14.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 346 members out of 409 rating the stock outperform, and 63 members rating it underperform. Among 111 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 96 give Affymetrix a green thumbs-up, and 15 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Affymetrix is hold, with an average price target of $5.49.

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