Will SolarWinds Beat These Analyst Estimates?

SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 4. 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 SolarWinds's revenues will grow 27.1% and EPS will increase 13.8%.

The average estimate for revenue is $70.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.33.

Revenue details
Last quarter, SolarWinds chalked up revenue of $71.7 million. GAAP reported sales were 33% higher than the prior-year quarter's $53.9 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 $0.37. GAAP EPS of $0.29 for Q3 were 3.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.28 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 93.6%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 43.9%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 31.4%, 730 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $266.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.33.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 132 members out of 166 rating the stock outperform, and 34 members rating it underperform. Among 43 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 32 give SolarWinds a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on SolarWinds is outperform, with an average price target of $53.85.

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