On Oct. 27, OfficeMax (NYSE:OMX) released third-quarter earnings for the period ended Sept. 30.

  • Store closings in the first quarter of 2006 were the main cause of the 1.9% decline in sales.
  • The benefit of closing non-performing stores was better cost control. Operating margin increased more than 20 basis points, to 2.8%.
  • Those cost-cutting measures led to a increase in profits, and more importantly, positive free cash flow year to date.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Sales

$2,222

$2,244

$2,288

(1.9%)

Net Profit

--

$31

($0)

N/A

EPS

$0.55

$0.41

($0.02)

N/A

Diluted Shares

--

75

71

5.8%



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

Margin Checkup

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

26.06%

24.18%

1.88

Operating Margin

2.78%

0.70%

2.08

Net Margin

1.40%

(0.02%)

1.42

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$314

$78

300%

Accounts Rec.

$537

$592

(9.3%)

Inventory

$909

$981

(7.4%)


Liabilities

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$837

$876

(4.4%)

Long-Term Debt

$1,854.4

$1,902.7

(2.5%)



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

YTD 2006

YTD 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$340

($101)

N/A

Capital Expenditures

$97

$109

(11.4%)

Free Cash Flow

$243

($210)

N/A



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Related companies:

  • Staples (NASDAQ:SPLS)
  • Office Depot (NYSE:ODP)

Related Foolishness:

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