On July 26, Anheuser-Busch (NYSE:BUD) released second-quarter earnings for the period ended June 30, 2006.

  • Sales volumes increased domestically and internationally.
  • Along with its earnings announcement, the company increased its dividend by 9.3%.
  • Free cash flow improved dramatically, thanks to lower capital expenditures.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

Q2 2006

Q2 2005

Change

Sales

$4,170

$4,256

$4,018

5.9%

Net Profit

--

$638

$594

7.4%

EPS

$0.76

$0.82

$0.76

7.9%

Diluted Shares

777

782

(0.7%)

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

Margin Checkup

Q2 2006

Q2 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

37.48%

38.28%

(0.8)

Operating Margin

20.70%

20.56%

0.14

Net Margin

14.99%

14.77%

0.22

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets

Q2 2006

Q2 2005

Change

Cash + ST Invest.

$223

$137

62.3%

Accounts Rec.

$967

$964

0.3%

Inventory

$656

$711

(7.7%)


Liabilities

Q2 2006

Q2 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$1,251

$1,155

8.2%

Long-Term Debt

$7,837

$8,275

(5.3%)

Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

Q2 2006

Q2 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$1,380

$1,329

3.8%

Capital Expenditures

$318

$565

(43.7%)

Free Cash Flow

$1,061

$764

39%

Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related Companies:

  • Molson Coors Brewing Company (NYSE:TAP)
  • Boston Beer Company (NYSE:SAM)
  • Mexican Economic Development (NYSE:FMX)
  • Diageo (NYSE:DEO)
  • AmBev (NYSE:ABV)

Related Foolishness:

Anheuser-Busch is a Motley Fool Inside Value selection. Diageo is a Motley Fool Income Investor selection.

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,Nathan Parmelee had no positions in any of the companies mentioned. Fool rules are here.