On May 10, Cosi (NASDAQ:COSI) released Q1 2006 earnings for the period ended April 3.

  • The reporting requirement for stock-based compensation expenses cost Cosi $1.9 million this quarter. But back this out, and the company met earnings estimates.
  • Comps growth stands at 5.3% -- still behind last year's pace, but ahead of last year's fourth quarter.
  • Operating cash flow turned positive this quarter compared with last year and was positive for the third time in the past five quarters.

(Figures in thousands, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

Q1 2006

Q1 2005

Change

Sales

$30,030

$29,645

$27,205

9.0%

Net Profit

--

($3,928)

($2,796)

N/A

EPS

($0.05)

($0.10)

($0.09)

N/A

Diluted Shares

37,813

31,200

21.2%



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

Margin Checkup

Q1 2006

Q1 2005

Change*

Gross Margin**

17.98%

15.96%

2.02

Operating Margin

(14.46%)

(10.51%)

(3.96)

Net Margin

(13.25%)

(10.28%)

(2.98)

*Expressed in percentage points.
**Includes food and beverage costs, labor costs, and occupancy costs

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q1 2006

Q1 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$32,823

$7,105

362%

Accounts Rec.

$1,390

$612

127.2%

Inventory

$791

$856

(7.6%)



Liabilities

Q1 2006

Q1 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$2,787

$2,967

(6.1%)

Long-Term Debt

$100

$270

(63.0%)



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

Q1 2006

Q1 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$235

($5,466)

N/A

Capital Expenditures

$2,381

$323

636.7%

Free Cash Flow

($2,146)

($5,790)

N/A



Find out why Fools always follow the money.

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Related Foolishness:

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At the time of publication,Jim Muellerhad no position in any company mentioned. Fool rules arehere.