On Tuesday, March 13, apparel retailer The Buckle (NYSE:BKE) released fourth-quarter and year-end results for the period ended Feb. 3. Here are the quick-and-dirty details for the quarter.

  • Total sales grew 14%, as same-store sales improved 4.8%. The Buckle recently announced that February comps grew 4.5%, following a nice 7.8% jump in January.
  • Diluted earnings also advanced 14%. Management repurchased shares throughout the year, but fourth-quarter outstanding shares increased overall, as strong operating and stock performance increased the number of shares that will vest and officially be considered in the diluted share count calculation.
  • The Buckle carries an uncoveted two-star rating in the Motley Fool CAPS intelligence database. Embattled retailer Gap (NYSE:GPS) carries a lower one-star rating, as does Hot Topic (NASDAQ:HOTT). Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ:URBN) has a more favorable three-star rating, while Chico's FAS (NYSE:CHS) is even higher with four stars. Feel free to head to CAPS and tell us what you think about these and other retail companies.

(Figures in thousands, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$174,986

$153,357

14.1%

Net Profit

$22,072

$19,142

15.3%

EPS

$0.73

$0.64

14.1%

Diluted Shares

30,232

29,996

0.8%



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

43.2%

41.9%

1.3

Operating Margin

18.1%

18.5%

(0.4)

Net Margin

12.6%

12.5%

0.1

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$151,473

$158,110

(4.2%)

Accounts Rec.

$4,046

$4,824

(16.1%)

Inventory

$70,306

$68,731

2.3%



Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$14,670

$11,119

31.9%



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights
Fools will have to wait until the Buckle files its 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission for juicy cash flow details. Learn how the cash flow statement helps Fools follow the money.

Related Foolishness:

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.

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Fool contributor Ryan Fuhrmann has no financial interest in any company mentioned. Feel free to email him with feedback or to discuss any companies mentioned further. The Fool has an ironclad disclosure policy.