What to Expect from Medidata Solutions

Medidata Solutions (Nasdaq: MDSO  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 21. 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 Medidata Solutions's revenues will expand 25.3% and EPS will drop -73.7%.

The average estimate for revenue is $59.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.20.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Medidata Solutions logged revenue of $55.8 million. GAAP reported sales were 21% higher than the prior-year quarter's $46.3 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 $0.16. GAAP EPS of $0.16 for Q3 were 48% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.31 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 71.5%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.4%, 390 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.3%, 890 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $218.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.65.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 50 members out of 53 rating the stock outperform, and three members rating it underperform. Among 14 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 13 give Medidata Solutions a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Medidata Solutions is outperform, with an average price target of $39.17.

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