On Feb. 14, bar code designer and printer Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ:ZBRA) released fourth-quarter and year-end results for the period ended Dec. 31. Here are the quick and dirty details for the quarter.

  • Total sales -- which grew 17.1%, ahead of analyst expectations -- were attributed to strong growth in all geographies. Hardware sales advanced 18.3%, while supplies sales improved 14.9%.
  • Diluted earnings fell 21.1%, thanks to a $0.12 charge related to a reserve for an insurance receivable. Exclude the charge and earnings grew 10.5%.
  • Management is projecting first-quarter 2007 diluted earnings of $0.33-$0.37 per share and net sales of $195 million to $205 million.
  • Nearly 90% of Motley Fool CAPS players expect the stock to outperform the S&P 500.

(Figures in thousands, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Avg. Est.

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Sales

$194,800

$209,903

$179,294

17.1%

Net Profit

--

$21,446

$26,845

(20.1%)

EPS

$0.41

$0.30

$0.38

(21.1%)

Diluted Shares

--

70,499

70,940

(0.6%)



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

Margin Checkup

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change*

Gross Margin

46.88%

49.98%

(3.10)

Operating Margin

12.25%

20.13%

(7.88)

Net Margin

10.22%

14.97%

(4.75)

*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.

$260,944

$544,239

(52.1%)

Accounts Rec.

$122,540

$111,551

9.9%

Inventory

$81,190

$63,638

27.6%



Liabilities

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Accounts Payable

$28,980

$24,885

16.5%



Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights

Q4 2006

Q4 2005

Change

Cash From Ops.

$88,062

$90,472

(2.7%)

Capital Expenditures

$19,197

$14,286

34.4%

Free Cash Flow

$68,865

$76,186

(9.6%)



Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Comparable companies:

  • Paxar (NYSE:PXR)
  • 3M (NYSE:MMM)
  • Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY)
  • Motorola (NYSE:MOT)

Related Foolishness:

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.

Paxar is a recommendation of Motley Fool Hidden Gems. 3M is an Inside Value pick.

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