Colgate Announces 3rd Quarter Results And New Global Growth And Efficiency Program For Sustained Growth

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) today reported worldwide Net sales of $4,332 million in third quarter 2012, a decrease of 1.0% versus third quarter 2011. Global unit volume grew 2.0%, pricing increased 3.0% and foreign exchange was negative 6.0%. Organic sales (Net sales excluding foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestments) grew 5.0%.

Net income and Diluted earnings per share in third quarter 2012 were $654 million and $1.36, respectively. Net income and Diluted earnings per share in third quarter 2011 were $643 million and $1.31, respectively. Net income in third quarter 2012 and 2011 included $7 million ($0.02 per diluted share) and $133 million ($0.27 per diluted share), respectively, of aftertax charges resulting from the implementation of the previously disclosed business realignment and other cost-saving initiatives and costs associated with the sale of land in Mexico. Net income in third quarter 2011 also included an aftertax gain of $135 million ($0.27 per diluted share) from the sale of the Company’s non-core laundry detergent business in Colombia.

Excluding the above noted items in both periods, Net income in third quarter 2012 was $661 million, an increase of 3% versus third quarter 2011, and Diluted earnings per share in third quarter 2012 was $1.38, an increase of 5% versus third quarter 2011.

Gross profit margin was 58.4% in third quarter 2012 versus 56.2% in the year ago quarter. Excluding the above noted items in both periods, Gross profit margin was 58.6% in third quarter 2012, an increase of 180 basis points versus the year ago quarter, as higher pricing and cost savings from the Company’s funding-the-growth initiatives more than offset the impact of increases in raw and packaging material costs and negative foreign exchange transaction costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 34.6% of Net sales in third quarter 2012 versus 34.0% in third quarter 2011, as worldwide advertising spending increased 1% versus the year ago quarter to $453 million. Advertising as a percent to sales increased 20 basis points to 10.5% from 10.3% in third quarter 2011.

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