On Dec. 20, small-engine maker Tecumseh Products (NASDAQ:TECUA) released third-quarter 2006 earnings for the period ended Sept. 30.

  • Revenues fell 4.5% from the previous year to $429.4 million, as currency fluctuations and higher commodity costs sunk performance.
  • Operating margins plummeted 7 percentage points from a slight gain last year, as higher administrative costs and impairments from assets written down drained away profits.
  • Without any significant storm and hurricane activity this year, generator sales plummeted 31% from the year-ago period.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Sales

$429

$450

(4.6%)

Net Profit

($38)

($37)

N/A

EPS

($2.05)

($2.01)

N/A

Diluted Shares

18,480

18,480

0%



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

Margin Checkup

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

5.01%

8.91%

(3.90)

Operating Margin

(6.82%)

0.33%

(7.15)

Net Margin

(8.80%)

(8.27%)

(0.53)

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q3 2006

Dec. 31, 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$59

$117

(49.7%)

Accounts Rec.

$247

$211

17.2%

Inventory

$369

$347

6.3%



Liabilities

Q3 2006

Dec. 31, 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$215

$187

14.8%

Long-Term Debt

$266

$283

(6.1%)



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

($36)

($20)

N/A

Capital Expenditures

$13

$29

(56.2%)

Free Cash Flow

($48)

($49)

N/A



Kudos to Tecumseh for providing a cash flow statement in its press release! Find out why Fools always follow the money.

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At the time of publication, Fool contributor Rich Duprey had no positions in any of the companies mentioned in the article. Fool rules are here.