Are You Expecting This from Royal Dutch Shell?

Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDSA  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Jan. 31. 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 Royal Dutch Shell's revenues will grow 4.4% and EPS will increase 39.1%.

The average estimate for revenue is $120.71 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $2.17.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Royal Dutch Shell logged revenue of $112.12 billion. GAAP reported sales were 9.2% lower than the prior-year quarter's $123.41 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 $2.10. GAAP EPS of $1.14 for Q3 were 1.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.12 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 16.4%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.7%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.4%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $467.39 billion. The average EPS estimate is $8.46.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 15 members out of 15 rating the stock outperform, and members rating it underperform. Among two CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), two give Royal Dutch Shell a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Royal Dutch Shell is outperform, with an average price target of $79.63.

Is Royal Dutch Shell the right energy stock for you? Read about a handful of timely, profit-producing plays on expensive crude in "3 Stocks for $100 Oil." Click here for instant access to this free report.

• Add Royal Dutch Shell to My Watchlist.