On Feb. 6, BP (NYSE:BP) released fourth-quarter earnings for the period ended Dec. 31.

  • Margins and net income were squeezed downward because of lower fuel prices and increased safety costs.
  • Operating profit for BP's largest business segment, exploration and production, decreased 23%.
  • The company repurchased 6.5% of its outstanding shares in 2006.
  • Of the 420 ratings for BP on Motley Fool CAPS, 369 of them are outperforms.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$62,832.0

$63,817.0

(1.5%)

Net Profit

$2,955.0

$3,336.0*

(11.4%)

EPS

$0.15

$0.16*

(6.3%)

Diluted Shares

19,610.9

20,792.9

(5.7%)

*Based on continuing operations.

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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

17.9%

20.6%

(2.6)

Operating Margin

7.1%

8.7%

(1.7)

Net Margin

4.7%

5.2%

(0.5)

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$12,963

$13,016

(0.4%)

Accounts Rec.

$38,692

$40,902

(5.4%)



Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$42,236

$42,136

0.2%

Long-Term Debt

$11,086

$10,230

8.4%



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$4,970

$3,416*

45.5%

Capital Expenditures

$4,473

$3,476

28.7%

Free Cash Flow

$497

($60)

N/A

*Based on continuing operations.

Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related Companies:

  • Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM)
  • Total SA (NYSE:TOT)
  • PetroChina (NYSE:PTR)
  • Chevron (NYSE:CVX)
  • ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)

Related Foolishness:

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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. This data has been provided by Netscribes. To provide feedback on this article, please click on the "feedback" button below.