On Dec. 7, semiconductor manufacturer National Semiconductor (NYSE:NSM) released Q2 2007 earnings for the period ended Nov. 26, 2006.

  • Inventory buildup over the past year made the cash conversion metrics look a lot worse this time around. Inventory levels actually decreased 9.1% sequentially, though, so recent trends are pointing the right way.

  • Lower revenues put a squeeze on profit margins, as SG&A expenses increased by 13.5%.

  • OK, so earnings were down. How about free cash flow? Down. Operational cash flow? Also down. Owner earnings? Sorry, bud. No matter how you slice it, this was a pretty disappointing earnings performance.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

Q2 2007

Q2 2006

Change

Sales

$501

$501.6

$544.0

(7.8%)

Net Profit

--

$91.4

$114.7

(20.3%)

EPS

$0.27

$0.27

$0.32

(15.6%)

Diluted Shares

--

335.6

356.7

(5.9%)



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

Margin Checkup

Q2 2007

Q2 2006

Change*

Gross Margin

58.89%

57.22%

1.67

Operating Margin

24.80%

29.54%

(4.74)

Net Margin

18.22%

21.08%

(2.86)

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q2 2007

Q2 2006

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$780.6

$970.0

(19.5%)

Accounts Rec.

$184.7

$168.7

9.5%

Inventory

$177.8

$160.7

10.6%



Liabilities

Q2 2007

Q2 2006

Change

Accounts Payable

$64.1

$91.3

(29.8%)

Long-Term Debt

$21.1

$21.1

0%



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

Six-Month Totals

Q2 2007

Q2 2006

Change

Cash From Ops.

$278.2

$366.2

(24%)

Capital Expenditures

$70.6

$46.4

52.2%

Free Cash Flow

$207.6

$319.8

(35.1%)

Owner Earnings

$170.0

$203.9

(16.6%)



Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Cash Management Checkup

Q2 2007

Q2 2006

Change

Days in Inventory

81.5

61.5

20.1

Days in Receivables

34.1

26.7

7.4

Days Payables Outstanding

32.0

30.2

1.8

Cash Conversion Cycle

83.7

58.0

25.7



Read up on cash conversion metrics.

Related Companies:

  • Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN)
  • Marvell Technology (NASDAQ:MRVL)
  • On Semiconductor (NASDAQ:ONNN)
  • Omnivision Technologies (NASDAQ:OVTI)
  • Silicon Image (NASDAQ:SIMG)
  • Microsemi (NASDAQ:MSCC)

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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 Anders Bylund had no position in any company mentioned. Fool rules are here.