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

  • Total revenues were up, thanks to an increase in U.S.-franchised electric and gas revenues, primarily driven by the addition of the former Cinergy-regulated utility operations.
  • EPS decreased by 50.8% because of the sale of an effective 50% interest of Crescent, lower earnings from Crescent, and the issuance of additional shares related to the Cinergy merger.
  • Management received approval for nearly $260 million of future federal tax credits related to costs to be incurred for building two advanced coal plants.
  • Duke completed the spin-off of Spectra Energy in January.
  • Over at Motley Fool CAPS, 343 of 418 members believe Duke will outperform the S&P 500.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$4,069

$3,029

34.3%

Net Profit

$387

$606

(36.1%)

EPS

$0.31

$0.63

(50.8%)

Diluted Shares

1,265

962

31.5%



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Operating Margin

20.3%

30.1%

(9.9)

Net Margin

9.5%

20.0%

(10.5)

*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.

$948.0

$511.0

85.5%



Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Long-Term Debt

$18,118.0

$14,547.0

24.5%



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

YTD 2006

YTD 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$3,846.0

$2,843.0

35.3%

Capital Expenditures

$1,294.0

$767.0

68.7%

Free Cash Flow

$2,552.0

$2,076.0

22.9%



Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related Companies:

  • Entergy (NYSE:ETR)
  • Firstenergy (NYSE:FE)
  • Edison International (NYSE:EIX)
  • AES Corporation (NYSE:AES)
  • PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL)

Related Foolishness:

Duke Energy is a Motley Fool Income Investor recommendation. Find more dividend superstars with a free 30-day trial of James Early's low-risk, high-reward newsletter service.

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