Will These Numbers from Monsanto Be Good Enough for You?

Monsanto (NYSE: MON  ) is expected to report Q2 earnings on April 3. 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 Monsanto's revenues will grow 11.0% and EPS will grow 12.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $5.27 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $2.56.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Monsanto reported revenue of $2.94 billion. GAAP reported sales were 21% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.44 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 $0.62. GAAP EPS of $0.63 for Q1 were 174% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.23 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 47.5%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.3%, 730 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.5%, 630 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $14.90 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.54.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,829 members out of 2,968 rating the stock outperform, and 139 members rating it underperform. Among 586 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 561 give Monsanto a green thumbs-up, and 25 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Monsanto is outperform, with an average price target of $100.50.

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