Bio-Reference Laboratories, in the Spotlight Soon

Bio-Reference Laboratories (Nasdaq: BRLI  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings around Dec. 6. 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 Bio-Reference Laboratories's revenues will grow 15.9% and EPS will increase 24.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $175.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.46.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Bio-Reference Laboratories notched revenue of $172.3 million. GAAP reported sales were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $148.0 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, EPS came in at $0.45. GAAP EPS of $0.45 for Q3 were 25% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.36 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 51.9%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.2%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.3%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $660.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.51.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 320 members out of 338 rating the stock outperform, and 18 members rating it underperform. Among 100 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 97 give Bio-Reference Laboratories a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Bio-Reference Laboratories is buy, with an average price target of $28.40.

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