On May 1, Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA) released second-quarter earnings for the period ended March 31.

  • Price increases led net sales in the Mueller Co. segment, the company's largest, to rise 3.6% year-over-year to $200 million.
  • The company's adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 17% from 16.2% year-over-year, despite drops in volume of some higher-margin products, including iron gate valves and hydrants.
  • Mueller is rated five stars in the Motley Fool CAPS community, as is Hercules Offshore (NYSE:HERO), which reported earlier this week.

(Figures in million, except per-share data.)

Income Statement Highlights

Q2 2007

Q2 2006

Change

Sales

$459.7

$434.9

5.7%

Net Profit

$17.9

($1.8)

N/A

EPS

$0.16

($0.02)

N/A

Diluted Shares

115.2

85.8

34.2%

Get back to basics with the income statement.

Margin Checkup

Q2 2007

Q2 2006

Change*

Gross Margin

25.6%

21.8%

3.9

Operating Margin

11.5%

6.3%

5.2

Net Margin

3.9%

(0.4%)

4.3

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q2 2007

Q2 2006

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$69.2

$41.1

68.4%

Accounts Rec.

$274.3

$272.7

0.6%

Inventory

$510.8

$460.3

11.0%

Liabilities

Q2 2007

Q2 2006

Change

Accounts Payable

$115.4

$110.3

4.6%

Long-Term Debt

$1,119.5

$1,537.8

(27.2%)

The balance sheet reflects the company's health.

Cash Flow Highlights

YTD 2007

YTD 2006

Change

Cash From Ops.

$56.7

$63.1

(10.1%)

Capital Expenditures

$42.5

$30.9

37.5%

Free Cash Flow

$14.2

$32.2

(55.9%)

Free cash flow is a Fool's best friend.

Related Foolishness:

Mueller Water Products is a Motley Fool Hidden Gems selection. To learn more about it and the dozens of other Hidden Gems picks, try out a 30-day free trial today.

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