Will These Numbers from Helmerich & Payne Be Good Enough for You?

Helmerich & Payne (NYSE: HP  ) is expected to report Q1 earnings around 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 Helmerich & Payne's revenues will grow 12.5% and EPS will wane 0.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $823.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.29.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Helmerich & Payne booked revenue of $829.4 million. GAAP reported sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $700.8 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 $1.36. GAAP EPS of $1.46 for Q4 were 32% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.11 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 46.1%, 270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 30.3%, 260 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 18.9%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $3.34 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.99.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,011 members out of 1,086 rating the stock outperform, and 75 members rating it underperform. Among 221 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 209 give Helmerich & Payne a green thumbs-up, and 12 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Helmerich & Payne is outperform, with an average price target of $56.10.

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