On Thursday, Jan. 25, First Data (NYSE:FDC) released fourth-quarter results for the period ended Dec. 31, 2006. Here are the quick and dirty details.

  • Sales grew 14.1% to $1.9 billion, led by 43% growth in the international segment.
  • Total diluted earnings fell 33.3%, as last year's numbers included income from the now spun-off Western Union (NYSE:WU).
  • Management is targeting 8% to 10% sales growth for 2007 and earnings from continuing operations of $1.20 to $1.26.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$1,890

$1,922

$1,684

14.1%

Net Profit

--

$279

$420

(33.6%)

EPS

$0.34

$0.36

$0.54

(33.3%)

Diluted Shares

769

772

(0.4%)



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

53.76%

52.49%

1.27

Operating Margin

15.54%

10.64%

4.90

Net Margin

14.49%

24.91%

(10.42)

*Expressed in percentage points

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Segment Revenue Details

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Commercial Services

$1,112

$1,014

9.7%

% of Total

52.2%

47.6%

Financial Institution

$484

$438

10.4%

% of Total

22.7%

20.6%

International

$377

$263

43.1%

% of Total

17.7%

12.4%

Other

$158

$144

Total

$2,131

$1,860

14.6%
Totals exclude interest expense and other corporate adjustments

Learn more about how to evaluate businesses.

Fools will have to wait until First Data files its 10-Q for additional balance sheet and cash flow details. Learn the ways of the balance sheet and find out why Fools always follow the money.

Comparable companies:

  • Western Union (NYSE:WU)
  • Global Payments (NYSE:GPN)
  • MoneyGram (NYSE:MGI)

Related Foolishness:

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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.

Fool contributor Ryan Fuhrmann is long shares of First Data and Western Union but has no financial interest in any other company mentioned. Feel free to email him with feedback or to discuss any companies mentioned further. The Fool has an ironclad disclosure policy.