On June 20, Sonic (NASDAQ:SONC) released Q3 fiscal 2006 earnings for the period ended May 31.

  • Earnings jumped by 12% and EPS by 17.4%, thanks to the company's buying back over 5 million shares during the past year.
  • Operating margins dropped because of several factors, including increases in advertising and the number of corporate employees.
  • Comps increased by 4.3%, consisting of a 5% increase at franchised stores and 1.4% at company stores.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Sales

$189.7

$186.5

$141.8

31.5%

Net Profit

--

$23.8

$21.3

12%

EPS

$0.26

$0.27

$0.23

17.4%

Diluted Shares

89.01

94.07

(5.4%)

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

Margin Checkup

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change*

Gross Margin**

74.3%

74%

0.3

Operating Margin

20.95%

24.55%

(3.6)

Net Margin

12.78%

15%

(2.22)

*Expressed in percentage points.
** Does not include franchise royalty and fee revenue.

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Current Assets

$54.9

$37.5

46.4%


Liabilities

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Current Liabilities

$80.7

$55.8

44.5%

Long-Term Debt*

$181.6

$118**

53.8%

*Capital lease obligations, long term debt, other non-current.
**Not adjusted for effect of stock-based compensation.

Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

No meaningful, precise data given, beyond $28 million in capital expenditures, compared to $26.6 million a year ago.

Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related Companies:

  • Burger King Holdings (NYSE:BKC)
  • McDonalds (NYSE:MCD)
  • Wendy's (NYSE:WEN)
  • Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM)

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At the time of publication, Jim Mueller had no position in any stock mentioned. Fool rules are here.