On Jan. 26, machinery and engine maker Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) released fourth-quarter earnings for the period ended Dec. 31, 2006.

  • Aside from the fourth-quarter numbers shown below, the big Cat recorded $41.5 billion in sales for all of 2006, and earned $5.17 per share -- a 28% increase over 2005.
  • The company completed the repurchase of 45.6 million shares worth $3.2 billion.
  • Caterpillar carries a middle-of-the-road three-star rating in Motley Fool CAPS.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$11,003

$9,663

13.9%

Net Profit

$882

$846

4.3%

EPS

$1.32

$1.20

10.0%

Diluted Shares

669.5

705.4

(5.1%)



Get back to basics with a look at the income statement.

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

27.6%

28.5%

(1.0)

Operating Margin

10.4%

11.0%

(0.6)

Net Margin

8.0%

8.8%

(0.7)

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$530

$1,108

(52.2%)

Accounts Rec.

$14,977

$13,968

7.2%

Inventory

$6,351

$5,224

21.6%


Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$4,149

$3,412

21.6%

Long-Term Debt

$17,680

$15,677

12.8%



.Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

FY 2006

FY 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$5,823

$3,113

87.1%

Capital Expenditures

$2,675

$2,415

10.8%

Free Cash Flow

$3,148

$698

351.0%



Find out why Fools always follow the money.

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