What to Expect from Consolidated Communications Holdings

Consolidated Communications Holdings (Nasdaq: CNSL  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on March 7. 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 Consolidated Communications Holdings's revenues will grow 68.6% and EPS will shrink -28.6%.

The average estimate for revenue is $157.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.20.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Consolidated Communications Holdings booked revenue of $157.0 million. GAAP reported sales were 70% higher than the prior-year quarter's $92.5 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 $0.28. GAAP EPS were -$0.01 for Q3 against $0.19 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 62.0%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.7%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -0.2%, 650 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $533.2 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.82.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 68 members out of 79 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 20 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 19 give Consolidated Communications Holdings a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Consolidated Communications Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $17.25.

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