Can CBIZ Beat These Numbers?

CBIZ (NYSE: CBZ  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 13. 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 CBIZ's revenues will expand 4.0% and EPS will contract -100.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $169.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.00.

Revenue details
Last quarter, CBIZ recorded revenue of $183.8 million. GAAP reported sales were 3.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $177.3 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 $0.11. GAAP EPS of $0.11 for Q3 were 10.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.10 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 9.1%, 390 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.9%, 350 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.9%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $762.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.59.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 117 members out of 125 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 32 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 32 give CBIZ a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on CBIZ is outperform, with an average price target of $7.75.

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