On Nov. 2, health, safety, and defense products maker Mine Safety Appliances (NYSE:MSA) released third-quarter earnings for the period ended Sept. 30.

  • Sales declined 3.7% to $209.8 million, primarily because of lower sales of Advanced Combat Helmets and related communications systems to the military.
  • Net profit dipped 25.9% to $12.6 million.
  • Management headlined substantial delays in federal funding for the U.S. Fire Service, which in turn has delayed fire departments from upgrading their equipment.
  • High capital expenditures and a 63.1% decline in cash from operations resulted in negative free cash flows for the period.
  • This Motley FoolHidden Gems selection is stuck at three-star status in Motley Fool CAPS.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Sales

$209.8

$217.8

(3.7%)

Net Profit

$12.6

$17.0

(25.9%)

EPS

$0.34

$0.46

(26.1%)

Diluted Shares

36.7

37.3

(1.6%)



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

Margin Checkup

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

37.3%

36.6%

0.7

Operating Margin

9.5%

12.6%

(3.0)

Net Margin

6%

7.8%

(1.8)

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$39.7

$65.6

(39.5%)

Accounts Rec.

$170.1

$156.9

8.4%

Inventory

$154.3

$129.4

19.2%



Liabilities

Q3 2006

Q3 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$52.1

$45.0

15.9%

Long-Term Debt

$53.8

$54.0

(0.2%)



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

YTD 2006

YTD 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$21.9

$59.3

(63.1%)

Capital Expenditures

$46.7

$32.2

45.2%

Free Cash Flow

($24.8)

$27.1

N/A

*Capital expenditure includes acquisitions.

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Related Companies:

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  • Abatix (NASDAQ:ABIX)
  • Respironics (NASDAQ:RESP)
  • Honeywell (NYSE:HON)

Related Foolishness:

Mine Safety Appliances is a Hidden Gems recommendation. You can view the entire Hidden Gems scorecard with yourfree trial.

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