On Oct. 18, General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) released third-quarter earnings for the period ending Oct. 1, 2006.

  • Strong performance growth in all four operating groups led to an overall increase in sales of 14.5%.
  • EPS marched forward 17.4% to $1.08.
  • Free cash flow increased by 12.8% to $1.1 billion

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Sales

$6,291

$6,069

$5,302

14.5%

Net Profit

--

$440

$364

20.9%

EPS

$1.06

$1.08

$0.92

17.4%

Diluted Shares

--

407

406

0.4%



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

Margin Checkup

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change*

Gross Margin**

No Data

No Data

No Data

Operating Margin

11.16%

10.84%

0.32

Net Margin

7.25%

6.87%

0.38

*Expressed in percentage points
**Cost of goods sold data not available

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Receivables and inventory information not supplied.

Assets

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$1,142

$1,754

(34.9%)



Liabilities

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Long-Term Debt

$2,778

$2,787

(0.3%)



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

YTD 2006

YTD 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$1,327

$1,156

14.8%

Capital Expenditures

$211

$167

26.3%

Free Cash Flow

$1,116

$989

12.8%



Find out why Fools always follow the money.

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Related Foolishness:

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