Clorox Sees Earnings Roughly in Line With Analysts' Views

Clorox(CLX Quote) expects a slight decline in its first-quarter earnings, but the consumer products company said its results should be near analysts' estimates.

Earnings for the full fiscal year should meet the current Wall Street consensus estimate, the company said.

Clorox projected earnings of 59 cents to 61 cents a share in the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with last year's earnings of 65 cents a share. Analysts' consensus is 60 cents a share.

The company said fiscal 2004 results are on track to meet its previously announced guidance for a double-digit increase in earnings and 3% to 5% sales and volume growth. The company anticipates earnings of $2.47 to $2.57 a share.

The consensus forecast is $2.49 a share. The company earned $2.23 a share last year.

Shares of Clorox were recently down 9 cents to $45.16 in New York Stock Exchange trading.