On Feb. 2, Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) released Q4 and fiscal 2005 earnings for the period ended Dec. 31, 2005.

  • Sales of $227.3 million easily outpaced Street estimates. Earnings, too, were higher than analysts expected, but EPS of $2.51 benefited from a $24 million tax benefit in Q4.
  • Management said it expects 25% to 35% growth during 2006. Is that too conservative? Check out the debate on our discussion boards.

(Figures in thousands, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

FY 2005

FY 2004

% Change

Sales

$218,160

$227,338

$138,803

+63.8%

Net Profit

--

$94,134

$23,478

+300.9%

EPS

$1.69

$2.51

$0.67

+274.6%



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

Margin Checkup

FY 2005

FY 2004

Change

Gross Margin

67.55%

63.39%

+4.16%

Op. Margin

30.25%

15.26%

+14.99%

Net Margin

41.41%

16.91%

+24.49%



Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

FY 2005

FY 2004

% Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$202,739

$132,038

+53.5%

Inventory

$15,170

$5,966

+154.3%

Accounts Rec.

$52,849

$35,443

+49.1%



Liabilities

FY 2005

FY 2004

% Change

Long-Term Debt

--

--

N/A

Accounts Pay.

$7,950

$4,485

+77.3%



Cash Flow Highlights

No cash flow statement provided. (Whatever.)

Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related Companies:

  • Biomet (NASDAQ:BMET)
  • Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX)
  • Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
  • Medtronic (NYSE:MDT)
  • Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN)
  • St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ)

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.

Intuitive Surgical is a Motley Fool Rule Breakers selection. David Gardner looks for stocks that are a step ahead of the rest. For more on his newsletter, click here.

Fool contributor Tim Beyers didn't own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this story at the time of publication. You can find out what is in his portfolio by checking Tim's Fool profile. The Motley Fool has an ironclad disclosure policy.