Will Big Lots Beat These Analyst Estimates?

Big Lots (NYSE: BIG  ) is expected to report Q1 earnings around May 24. 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 Big Lots's revenues will increase 1.9% and EPS will decrease -10.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.32 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.61.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Big Lots booked revenue of $1.75 billion. GAAP reported sales were 5.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.67 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 $2.09. GAAP EPS of $2.08 for Q4 were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.76 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 39.9%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.6%, much about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.9%, much about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $5.50 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.16.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 408 members out of 497 rating the stock outperform, and 89 members rating it underperform. Among 128 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 102 give Big Lots a green thumbs-up, and 26 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Big Lots is hold, with an average price target of $35.23.

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