On Feb. 23, FARO Technologies (NASDAQ:FARO) released Q4 2005 earnings for the period ending Dec. 31, 2005.

  • FARO's top line grew 21% in the quarter.
  • Operating margins took a big tumble down to 2%.
  • Earnings per share fell 97% to $0.01, even worse than the company anticipated.

(Figures in thousands, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

Q4 2005

Q4 2004

% Change

Sales

$34,440

$34,481

$28,542

+20.8%

Net Profit

--

$183

$4,914

(96.3%)

EPS

$0.07

$0.01

$0.34

(97.1%)



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2005

Q4 2004

Change

Gross Margin

56.59%

57.97%

(1.38%)

Op. Margin

2.14%

9.80%

(7.66%)

Net Margin

0.53%

17.22%

(16.69%)



Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q4 2005

Q4 2004

% Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$25,768

$38,842

(33.7%)

Inventory

$28,650

$16,378

+74.9%

Accounts Rec.

$28,654

$22,484

+27.4%



Liabilities

Q4 2005

Q4 2004

% Change

Long-Term Debt

$177

$146

+21.2%

Accounts Pay.

$12,301

$4,736

+159.7%



Here's how inventories work.

Cash Flow Highlights*

FY 2005

FY 2004

% Change

Cash From Ops.

($3,404)

$7,295

N/A

Capital Expend.

$3,937

$2,451

+60.6%

Free Cash Flow

($7,341)

$4,844

N/A

*Cash flow results are for all of fiscal 2005.

Related Foolishness:

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At the time of publication, Fool Analyst Andy Cross did not own shares in any company mentioned. Fool rules are here.