On Nov. 29, semiconductor design software maker Synopsys (NASDAQ:SNPS) released Q4 2006 earnings for the period ended Oct. 31.

  • GAAP margins have climbed out of the red-ink basement, thanks to tight reins on operational costs and rising revenue. But Synopsys still has a ways to go before matching the net and operating margins of its industry peers.

  • The growth in free cash flow and owner earnings both tracked close to the dollar difference on the bottom line, meaning that management seems to keep accounting shenanigans to a minimum.

  • The Motley Fool CAPS community doesn't think much of Synopsis today, slapping our lowest rating of just one star on the stock. Do you agree? Disagree? Either way, come on over and let us know what you think.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$283.4

$254.8

11.2%

Net Profit

$9.6

($13.5)

N/A

EPS

$0.07

($0.09)

N/A

Diluted Shares

142.0

145.2

(2.2%)



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

79.95%

78.26%

1.69

Operating Margin

3.75%

(1.59%)

5.34

Net Margin

3.40%

(5.29%)

8.69

*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.

$572.7

$586.5

(2.4%)

Accounts Rec.

$122.6

$100.2

22.4%



Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$235.0

$231.4

1.6%

Long-Term Debt

$0.0

$0.0

N/A



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$99.7

$74.3

34.2%

Capital Expenditures

$14.3

$8.8

62.2%

Free Cash Flow

$85.4

$65.5

30.4%

Owner Earnings

$38.6

$17.3

123.3%



Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related Companies:

  • KLA-Tencor (NASDAQ:KLAC)
  • Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ:CDNS)
  • Mentor Graphics (NASDAQ:MENT)
  • Magma Design Automation (NASDAQ:LAVA)
  • Ansoft (NASDAQ:ANST)
  • Virage Logic (NASDAQ:VIRL)

Related Foolishness:

Looking for the next great tech innovator? Our Motley Fool Rule Breakers newsletter can lead the way. And now you can take the swashbuckling newsletter dedicated to up-and-coming companies in emerging fields for a 30-day free spin .

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.

At the time of publication, Fool contributor Anders Bylund had no position in any company mentioned. Fool rules are here .