On Feb. 8, Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN), a medical technology company, released earnings for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31.

  • Sales increased by 15.1%, which can be attributed to overall healthy performance in all segments and successful new products.
  • Long-term debt decreased by 93%.
  • Free cash flow increased to $93 million, led by a 160% rise in cash from operations and a decline in capital spending.
  • The company announced a share buyback program of up to $1.5 billion over the next two years.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$771

$670

15.1%

Net Profit

$121

$80

51.3%

EPS

$0.13

$0.08

62.5%

Diluted Shares

944

943

0.1%



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

71.3%

73.1%

(1.8)

Operating Margin

20.4%

16.9%

3.5

Net Margin

15.7%

11.9%

3.8

*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.

$346

$151

129.1%

Accounts Rec.

$680

$620

9.7%

Inventory

$619

$557

11.1%



Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$419

$452

(7.3%)

Long-Term Debt

$15

$211

(92.9%)



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$130

$50

160.0%

Capital Expenditures

$37

$47

(21.3%)

Free Cash Flow

$93

$3

3000.0%



Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related companies:

  • St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ)
  • Biomet (NASDAQ:BMET)
  • C.R. Bard (NYSE:BCR)
  • Varian Medical Systems (NYSE:VAR)

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