On Feb. 6, FEI (NASDAQ:FEIC), maker of instruments and equipment used in nanotechnology research, released fourth-quarter earnings for the period ended Dec. 31.

  • The stock jumped smartly, with profits coming in at $0.30 per share, a far sight better than the $0.92 loss recorded a year ago.
  • Management says to look for first-quarter revenues in the range of $137 million to $144 million, and EPS to come in between $0.27 and $0.32.
  • Investors in Motley Fool CAPS love this stock, giving it the highest possible rating: five stars.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$140.3

$99.8

40.6%

Net Profit

$11.9

($30.9)

N/A

EPS

$0.30

($0.92)

N/A

Diluted Shares

44.1

33.7

30.7%



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

42.0%

28.4%

13.6

Operating Margin

9.9%

(22.9%)

32.8

Net Margin

8.5%

(30.9%)

39.4

*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.

$344.9

$214.8

60.5%

Accounts Rec.

$145.0

$96.2

50.6%

Inventory

$97.5

$84.9

14.8%



Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$45.1

$26.2

72.3%

Long-Term Debt

$310.9

$225.0

38.2%



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

Alas, management does not provide us the pleasure of a cash flow statement.

Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related Companies:

  • Veeco (NASDAQ:VECO)
  • Electro-Sensors (NASDAQ:ELSE)
  • GSI Group (NASDAQ:GSI)
  • Harvard Bioscience (NASDAQ:HBIO)
  • Nuance Communications (NASDAQ:NUAN)

Related Foolishness:

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