On Feb. 12, online diamond purveyor Blue Nile (NASDAQ:NILE) released fourth-quarter earnings for the period ended Dec. 31.

  • For the full analysis on Blue Nile's quarter, take a peek at this gem of an article.
  • The company repurchased 1.8 million shares worth $57.4 million during the year, of which 92,000 shares for $3.2 million were purchased in the fourth quarter.
  • Blue Nile's board of directors promoted Diane Irvine from chief financial officer to president.
  • For the first quarter of 2007, revenues are expected to be around $61 million-$63 million and EPS is expected to be in a range of $0.14 to $0.15.

(Figures in thousands, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$90,729

$73,231

23.9%

Net Profit

$5,753

$5,289

8.8%

EPS

$0.35

$0.29

20.7%

Diluted Shares

16,673

18,433

(9.5%)



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

20.6%

22.0%

(1.4)

Operating Margin

9.0%

10.2%

(1.3)

Net Margin

6.3%

7.2%

(0.9)

*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.*

$98,307

$114,669

(14.3%)

Accounts Rec.

$1,640

$1,877

(12.6%)

Inventory

$14,616

$11,764

24.2%



Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$66,625

$50,157

32.8%

*Does not include restricted cash.

Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$47,280

$37,091

27.5%

Capital Expenditures

$218

$327

(33.3%)

Free Cash Flow

$47,062

$36,764

28.0%



Find out why Fools always follow the money.

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