Procter & Gamble on Friday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped analysts’ expectations, as volume for its products grew for the first time in a year.
But looking ahead, executives warned about uncertainty caused by the war with Iran, like the effects on the company’s input costs and consumer spending. P&G will not provide a forecast for fiscal 2027 until its next earnings report in July.
“I’m very happy that I don’t have to give guidance today [for fiscal 2027],” CFO Andre Schulten said on the company’s earnings conference call Friday. “Because what do we know what the world looks like three months from now, with what we know today?”
Despite that haziness, shares of the company rose more than 3% in morning trading.
Here’s what the company reported compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:
- Earnings per share: $1.59 adjusted vs. $1.56 expected
- Revenue: $21.24 billion vs. $20.5 billion expected
P&G reported fiscal third-quarter net income attributable to the company of $3.93 billion, or $1.63 per share, up from $3.78 billion, or $1.54 per share, a year earlier. Excluding restructuring costs and other items, the company earned $1.59 per share.
Net sales rose 7% to $21.24 billion. Organic sales, which strip out acquisitions, divestitures and currency, increased 3%.
P&G’s volume increased 2%, marking the first time in a year that it reported growing volume across the company. The metric excludes pricing, which makes it a more accurate reflection of demand than sales. Like many consumer companies, P&G has seen demand for its products shrink as shoppers try to spend less and stretch their laundry detergent and shampoo further.
“I would say, right now, the consumer in the U.S. is stable,” Schulten said on a call with media. “We see the bifurcation of the consumer segments continuing.”
Despite inflation fears, consumers haven’t started pantry loading toilet paper or paper towels yet, P&G said.
P&G’s beauty division, which includes Olay, Head & Shoulders and Pantene, was the star of the quarter, with 5% volume growth. P&G said it saw volume increases across its personal care, skin care and hair care categories.
The baby, feminine and family care segment saw volume increase 3%. The company saw higher demand for its diapers and family care products, which includes Bounty paper towels and Charmin toilet paper.
P&G’s fabric and home care division reported that volume rose 2% in the quarter, fueled by higher North American demand for its Tide detergent.
Grooming and health care were the two laggards of the portfolio. The grooming segment, which includes Gillette and Venus products, saw volume fall 2%. Health care, which houses Oral-B and Vicks, also reported that volume declined 2%.
The company reiterated its full-year forecast of sales growth between 1% and 5% and net earnings per share growth in the range of 1% to 6%.
“However, where we will land within those ranges has become more uncertain given the geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East,” Schulten said on the earnings call.
In the fiscal fourth quarter, P&G is projecting a $150 million hit from increased costs, largely driven by increased transportation costs stemming from higher fuel prices, Schulten said.
However, Schulten did say that if oil prices stay high, it would weigh on P&G’s profits. He told analysts that if the price of Brent crude oil stays around $100 per barrel, the company is projecting an annual after-tax headwind of $1 billion.
That increase in costs could lead to higher prices for consumers. However, P&G said it would likely avoid a straight price hike across its portfolio and instead focus those increases on premium products, mitigating any volume declines by leaning into the current K-shaped economy in which higher-spending consumers are doing better.
Plus, higher fuel prices would likely mean more budget-conscious shoppers.
“It’s unclear how much higher gasoline and energy costs will costs will impact near-term consumer spending in our categories,” Schulten said.
Correction: P&G reported adjusted EPS of $1.59. An earlier version of this story misstated the figure.
