On June 20, Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI) released FY 2006 earnings for the period ending May 28.

  • Overall same-store sales growth was 4.5% for the year, with Red Lobster reporting 4.9% and Olive Garden 5.5%.
  • The company repurchased 11.9 million shares over the year, returning some value to shareholders on top of their dividend.
  • Earnings per share grew more than 20% for the second straight year.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

FY 2006

FY 2005

Change

Sales

$5,710

$5,721

$5,278

8.4%

Net Profit

--

$338.2

$290.6

16.4%

EPS

$2.14

$2.16

$1.78

21.3%

Diluted Shares

156.9

163.4

(4.0%)



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

Margin Checkup

FY 2006

FY 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

70.42%

69.81%

0.61

Operating Margin

9.19%

8.85%

0.34

Net Margin

5.91%

5.51%

0.40

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

FY 2006

FY 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$42.3

$42.8

(1.2%)

Accounts Rec.

$37.1

$36.5

1.6%

Inventory

$198.7

$235.4

(15.6%)



Liabilities

FY 2006

FY 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$213.2

$191.2

11.5%

Long-Term Debt

$494.6

$350.3

41.2%



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

No data given, which is quite frustrating.

Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related Companies:

  • Applebee's International (NASDAQ:APPB)
  • Brinker International (NYSE:EAT)
  • OSI Restaurant Partners (NYSE:OSI)

Related Foolishness:

Fool by Numbers is designed to give you the raw earnings information in a timely fashion, putting all the numbers you need in one easy-to-read place. But at The Motley Fool, we believe numbers tell only part of the story, so check Fool.com for more of our in-depth discussion of what the numbers mean.

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