Riverbed Technology, in the Spotlight Soon

Riverbed Technology (Nasdaq: RVBD  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 7. 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 Riverbed Technology's revenues will expand 15.8% and EPS will grow 16.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $234.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Riverbed Technology tallied revenue of $218.6 million. GAAP reported sales were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $189.8 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 $0.28. GAAP EPS of $0.15 for Q3 were 25% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.12 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 77.1%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 16.7%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.3%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $835.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.00.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 971 members out of 1,016 rating the stock outperform, and 45 members rating it underperform. Among 248 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 239 give Riverbed Technology a green thumbs-up, and nine give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Riverbed Technology is outperform, with an average price target of $21.48.

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