On Feb. 21, Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC) released Q4 2005 earnings for the period ending Dec. 31, 2005.

  • Revenues increased 6.9%.
  • Net profit rose 13.2%, and EPS climbed by 14.5%.
  • Free cash flow came in 26% less than the prior year.

(Figures in thousands, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Q4 2005

Q4 2004

% Change

Sales

$2,409,689

$2,253,307

+6.9%

Net Profit

$108,993

$96,314

+13.2%

EPS

$0.63

$0.55

+14.5%



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2005

Q4 2004

% Change

Gross Margin

32.69%

33.30%

(0.61)%

Op. Margin

7.34%

6.74%

+0.60%

Net Margin

4.52%

4.27%

+0.25%



Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q4 2005

Q4 2004

% Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$188,911

$134,940

+40.0%

Inventory

$2,216,542

$2,198,957

+0.8%

Accounts Rec.

$1,186,865

$1,123,900

+5.6%



Liabilities

Q4 2005

Q4 2004

% Change

Long-Term Debt

$500,000

$500,000

0.0%

Accounts Pay.

$973,615

$856,653

+13.7%



Cash Flow Highlights*

FY 2005

FY 2004

% Change

Cash From Ops

$440,517

$555,236

(20.7%)

Capital Expend.

$85,714

$72,077

+18.9%

Free Cash Flow

$354,803

$483,159

(26.6%)

*Cash flow numbers are for the full year.

Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related Companies:

  • AutoZone (NYSE:AZO)
  • GM (NYSE:GM)
  • Ford (NYSE:F)
  • Pep Boys (NYSE:PBY)

Related Foolishness:

AutoZone has beaten the market by 7% points since being recommended by Motley Fool Inside Value . For a look at more market-beating ideas, a 30-day guest pass is available.

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, Seth Jayson had no positions in any company mentioned here. Fool rules are here.