Will These Numbers from Williams Companies Be Good Enough for You?

Williams Companies (NYSE: WMB  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 20. 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 Williams Companies's revenues will grow 0.4% and EPS will decrease -38.1%.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.11 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.26.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Williams Companies chalked up revenue of $1.75 billion. GAAP reported sales were 11% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.97 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 $0.25. GAAP EPS of $0.25 for Q3 were 46% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.46 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 30.0%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.3%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.8%, 500 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $7.67 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.12.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 524 members out of 545 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 125 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 121 give Williams Companies a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Williams Companies is outperform, with an average price target of $35.54.

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