On March 1, Staples (NASDAQ:SPLS) released earnings for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 3.

  • Revenue for the quarter rose 18.5% on continued strength in all three units: North American retail, North American delivery, and international. Excluding the extra week of sales, revenue increased 10%.
  • Improved operating margins and continued share repurchases drove EPS 24% higher.
  • In January, Staples announced it's going into India with a joint venture with Pantaloon Retail Ltd.
  • For fiscal 2007, the company anticipates EPS to grow by 15% to 20% to around $1.43 to $1.49.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$5,285.9

$4,462.3

18.5%

Net Profit

$336.5

$276.7

21.6%

EPS

$0.46

$0.37

24.3%

Diluted Shares

714.7

727.4

(1.7%)



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

29.3%

29.4%

(0.1)

Operating Margin

9.9%

9.7%

0.2

Net Margin

6.4%

6.2%

0.2

*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.

$1,475.4

$1,570.9

(6.1%)

Accounts Rec.

$720.8

$576.7

25.0%

Inventory

$1,919.7

$1,706.4

12.5%



Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$1,486.2

$1,435.8

3.5%

Total Debt

$517.7

$530.5

(2.4%)



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

2006

2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$1,165.0

$1,198.6

(2.8%)

Capital Expenditures

$528.5

$456.1

15.9%

Free Cash Flow

$636.5

$742.5

(14.3%)



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