Can TIBCO Software Meet These Numbers?

TIBCO Software (Nasdaq: TIBX  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Dec. 20. 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 TIBCO Software's revenues will expand 1.4% and EPS will shrink -11.9%.

The average estimate for revenue is $293.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.37.

Revenue details
Last quarter, TIBCO Software recorded revenue of $255.0 million. GAAP reported sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $229.0 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.27. GAAP EPS of $0.15 for Q3 were 7.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.14 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 71.7%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.3%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.2%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $1.02 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.11.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 502 members out of 529 rating the stock outperform, and 27 members rating it underperform. Among 131 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 127 give TIBCO Software a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on TIBCO Software is outperform, with an average price target of $34.79.

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