Chicago Bridge & Iron Earnings Up Next

Chicago Bridge & Iron (NYSE: CBI  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 28. 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 Chicago Bridge & Iron's revenues will expand 18.2% and EPS will expand 18.6%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.48 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.83.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Chicago Bridge & Iron chalked up revenue of $1.45 billion. GAAP reported sales were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.26 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, EPS came in at $0.82. GAAP EPS of $0.82 for Q3 were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.72 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 13.1%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.1%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.5%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $5.44 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.00.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,335 members out of 1,365 rating the stock outperform, and 30 members rating it underperform. Among 363 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 355 give Chicago Bridge & Iron a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Chicago Bridge & Iron is outperform, with an average price target of $48.50.

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