adjusted for non-cash income and expense items and changes in working capital . earnings from con- tinuing operations , adjusted for non-cash items and excluding the pension contribution , increased by $ 584 million in 2006 versus 2005 . this compared with a decline of $ 63 million for 2005 over 2004 . international paper 2019s investments in accounts receiv- able and inventory less accounts payable and accrued liabilities , totaled $ 997 million at december 31 , 2006