P&G fourth quarter net sales increase 10% to $20.9 billion

The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) net sales grew 10 percent to $20.9 billion for the fourth quarter and five percent to $82.6 billion for fiscal 2011. Organic sales, which exclude the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and foreign exchange, grew five percent for the quarter and four percent for the fiscal year. Unit volume was up three percent in the fourth quarter and six percent for the fiscal year, where volume grew in all business segments, all geographic regions, and in 15 of 17 key countries.

Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.84, an increase of 18 percent for the fourth quarter driven by sales growth and operating margin expansion; and $3.93, an increase of 11 percent for the fiscal year driven by sales growth and a lower effective tax rate.

"We are pleased with the strong top- and bottom-line performance in the quarter," said Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Bob McDonald. "We delivered organic sales growth of five percent and earnings per share growth of 18 percent in a challenging environment, driven by our ongoing commitment to make a difference in the everyday lives of the world's consumers."

Executive Summary

• Net sales increased 10 percent for the fourth quarter and five percent for the fiscal year. Organic sales grew five percent for the quarter and four percent for fiscal 2011.
• Fourth quarter organic sales growth of five percent was the strongest of the fiscal year, with price increases adding three percent to sales growth.
• Global market share was up for the year, with share holding or growing in businesses representing approximately 60 percent of sales.
• Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations increased 18 percent to $0.84 in the fourth quarter and increased 11 percent to $3.93 for the fiscal year.
• Core EPS increased 18 percent for the quarter to $0.84 due to sales growth and operating margin expansion. Core EPS increased eight percent for the full fiscal year to $3.95 driven by sales growth and a reduction in the current year effective tax rate, partially offset by operating margin contraction due to the impact of higher commodity costs.
• Operating cash flow was $13.2 billion for the fiscal year, while free cash flow, which is operating cash flow less capital spending, was $9.9 billion for the year.

April - June Quarter Discussion

Net sales increased 10 percent to $20.9 billion. Organic sales grew five percent on three percent unit volume growth. Volume growth was broad-based, with organic growth in five of six reportable segments, led by high single-digit growth in Baby Care & Family Care. All geographic regions maintained or grew volume. Favorable foreign exchange contributed to net sales growth, adding five percent. Pricing increased net sales by three percent while unfavorable product and geographic mix reduced net sales by one percent.

Operating margin increased 10 basis points for the quarter behind lower selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) as a percentage of net sales, partially offset by a lower gross margin. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased 130 basis points due to high base period advertising expenses, productivity savings and current year sales leverage. Gross margin decreased by 120 basis points driven by higher commodity costs and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by manufacturing cost savings and pricing.

Diluted net earnings per share and Core EPS were $0.84, an increase of 18 percent. Net earnings from continuing operations increased by 15 percent to $2.5 billion for the quarter behind increased sales, a 10-basis-point improvement in operating margin, and gains on minor brand divestitures, partially offset by a higher effective tax rate. The tax rate on continuing operations was 21.7 percent, comparing to a base period rate of 16.5 percent which included benefits from several foreign tax audit resolutions and other discrete items.

Fiscal Year Discussion

Net sales increased five percent to $82.6 billion for fiscal 2011 behind volume growth of six percent. All geographic regions contributed to volume growth, led by double-digit growth in Asia. Unit volume increased in all reportable segments behind investments in innovation and market expansions, such as Olay and Head & Shoulders in Brazil, Gillette Guard in India, Downy fabric enhancers in Indonesia, Fusion ProGlide expansion in Western Europe, and Gain hand dishwashing liquid in the U.S. Unfavorable geographic and product mix reduced sales growth by two percent. Organic sales grew four percent.

Operating margin decreased 110 basis points for the year due to gross margin contraction, partially offset by lower SG&A as a percentage of net sales. Gross margin contracted 140 basis points to 50.6 percent of net sales due to higher commodity costs and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by manufacturing cost savings. SG&A decreased 30 basis points to 31.4 percent of net sales due to overhead sales leverage and productivity savings, partially offset by an increase in marketing spending. Advertising spending, which is the majority of total marketing expense, increased more than $700 million versus the prior fiscal year to $9.3 billion, or 11.3 percent of net sales.

Net earnings from continuing operations increased eight percent driven by sales growth and a lower tax rate, partially offset by operating margin contraction. Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations increased 11 percent to $3.93 in fiscal 2011 driven by sales growth, a lower tax rate and share repurchases, partially offset by a lower gross margin. Core EPS grew eight percent for the fiscal year.

Operating cash flow in fiscal 2011 was $13.2 billion, while adjusted free cash flow was $9.9 billion. Capital expenditures were 4 percent of net sales. The Company repurchased $7 billion of P&G stock in fiscal 2011 and increased its quarterly dividend by nine percent in April, paying $5.8 billion in dividends to shareholders in fiscal 2011.

April - June Quarter Business Segment Discussion

• Beauty net sales increased seven percent to $5.1 billion, on one percent volume growth. Organic volume, which excludes the net impact of Zest, Infasil and minor fragrance divestitures, increased two percent and organic sales grew three percent. Favorable foreign exchange improved net sales by six percent and higher pricing improved net sales by two percent. Geographic and product mix reduced net sales by two percent due to disproportionate growth in developing regions. Volume growth was driven by high single-digit growth in developing regions, while volume in developed regions was down mid-single digits. Volume in Retail Hair Care grew low single digits behind initiative activity and distribution expansions in Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe, partially offset by a double-digit decline in North America due to the Pantene restage in the base period. Volume in Female Beauty grew low single digits as Olay skin care distribution expansion in Asia and CEEMEA was partially offset by a low single-digit decline in developed markets driven by the Zest and Infasil divestitures, competitive activity in North America Cosmetics, and decreased shipments in North America Skin due to the Olay UV line reformulation. Volume in Salon Professional declined low single digits due to market contraction and competitive activity. Volume in Prestige Products was down mid-single digits due to minor brand divestitures. Net earnings decreased 17 percent to $414 million, as lower operating margin more than offset the impact of sales growth. Operating margin declined behind increased marketing investments and higher commodity costs, partially offset by a reduction in overhead spending as a percentage of sales and manufacturing cost savings.
• Grooming net sales increased seven percent to $2.1 billion on a one percent increase in volume. Organic sales increased one percent. Favorable foreign exchange increased net sales growth by six percent. Price increases added two percent to net sales growth behind blades and razors price increases across all regions and inflationary pricing in Latin America. Unfavorable geographic mix reduced sales growth by two percent. Volume growth was driven by mid-single-digit growth in developing regions, which was partially offset by a mid-single-digit decline in developed regions. Volume in Male Grooming increased low single digits primarily due to growth of blades and razors in developing regions, particularly Latin America and Asia, partially offset by a decline in developed markets due to the base period impacts of the U.S. Fusion ProGlide launch. Volume in Appliances decreased mid-single digits due to a shift in focus from low-tier, high volume products to higher-tier product offerings. Net earnings increased 18 percent to $372 million driven by net sales growth, operating margin expansion, and a lower effective tax rate. Operating margin improved due to a reduction in SG&A as a percentage of net sales, partially offset by reduced gross margin. A reduction in marketing spending was partially offset by an increase in overhead spending due to a shift in spending patterns. Gross margin declined as the impact of price increases and manufacturing cost savings was more than offset by higher commodity costs.
• Health Care net sales increased 12 percent to $2.9 billion on volume growth of four percent. Organic sales grew seven percent. Price increases added four percent to net sales and favorable foreign exchange added five percent while unfavorable geographic and product mix reduced net sales by one percent. Volume was up high single digits in developing regions and low single digits in developed regions. Volume in Oral Care was up low single digits due to Oral-B toothpaste expansions in Brazil, Belgium and Holland, Crest 3D White and Pro-Health Clinical in North America, and toothbrush initiatives in Asia. Volume in Feminine Care grew mid-single digits due to double-digit growth in developing markets behind Always initiatives in Asia and Latin America, partially offset by a low single-digit decline in developed markets due to competitive activity. Volume in Personal Health Care increased low single digits due to double-digit growth in developing regions behind initiative activity for Vicks and Pepto-Bismol, which was partially offset by a low single-digit decline in developed regions primarily driven by customer inventory reductions on Prilosec. Net earnings increased one percent to $343 million, as sales growth was partially offset by a lower operating margin. Gross margin declined due to higher commodity costs, which more than offset increased pricing. This was partially offset by lower foreign exchange costs.
• Snacks and Pet Care net sales increased seven percent to $850 million on volume growth of one percent. Organic volume and sales, which excludes the impact of the Natura acquisition in June 2010, decreased one percent. Favorable foreign exchange increased net sales by four percent and favorable product and geographic mix increased net sales by three percent, which was partially offset by a one percent decrease due to pricing. Snacks volume increased high single digits behind increased distribution in the developing regions and incremental merchandising activity in North America. Pet Care volume decreased high single digits, while organic volume, which excludes the impact of the Natura acquisition, decreased double digits due to the impacts of supply constraints following the pet food recall. Net earnings decreased 23 percent to $59 million driven primarily by a lower gross margin due to increased product costs resulting from the pet food supply disruptions, as well as an increase in overhead spending due to a shift in spending patterns, partially offset by a reduction in marketing spending.
• Fabric Care and Home Care net sales increased 11 percent to $6.1 billion on volume growth of four percent. Organic volume, which excludes the impact of the Ambi Pur acquisition, was up three percent and organic sales increased four percent. Favorable foreign exchange added five percent to net sales and pricing increased net sales by three percent, while unfavorable geographic and product mix reduced net sales by one percent. Volume increased mid-single digits in developing regions and low single digits in developed regions. Fabric Care volume was up low single digits due to growth in Latin America and Asia behind investments and initiatives and forward buying in North America ahead of announced price increases, partially offset by increased competitive activity and market contraction in Western Europe. Home Care volume increased double digits driven by initiatives, geographic expansion of dish and air care product lines, the Ambi Pur acquisition, and forward buying ahead of announced price increases in North America. Home Care organic volume increased mid-single digits. Batteries volume was consistent with the prior year as increases in Greater China and CEEMEA behind initiatives and distribution expansion were offset by decreases in Western Europe and Latin America due to competitive activity. Net earnings decreased nine percent to $560 million, as operating margin contraction was partially offset by sales growth. Operating margin contracted behind a commodity cost-driven reduction in gross margin and increased overhead spending due to the Ambi Pur acquisition and a shift in spending patterns, partially offset by a reduction in marketing spending as a percentage of sales.
• Baby Care and Family Care net sales increased 14 percent to $4.1 billion on eight percent volume growth. Organic sales were up 10 percent. Price increases added three percent to net sales, while unfavorable product and geographic mix decreased net sales by one percent. Favorable foreign exchange improved net sales by four percent. Volume in developing regions was up double digits and volume in developed regions increased mid-single digits. Volume in Baby Care grew high single digits due to initiative activity, distribution expansion and market growth in developing regions, partially offset by diaper market softness in developed regions. Volume in Family Care was up high single digits behind the continued success of prior-period initiative launches across Charmin and Bounty and pull forward volume ahead of announced price increases in North America. Net earnings increased 35 percent to $478 million behind sales growth and operating margin expansion. Operating margin improved due to an improved gross margin and a reduction in marketing spending. Gross margin improved due to pricing and manufacturing cost savings, partially offset by higher commodity costs.

Fiscal Year 2012 Guidance

Net sales are expected to increase five to nine percent in fiscal 2012. Organic sales are estimated to grow three to six percent. Favorable foreign exchange is expected to positively impact net sales growth by two to three percent. Pricing is expected to add three to four percent to sales while unfavorable product and geographic mix is expected to reduce sales by one to two percent. Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations and Core EPS are expected to be in the range of $4.17 to $4.33, up six to 10 percent.

July - September 2011 Quarter Guidance

For the July - September quarter, net sales growth is estimated to be six to nine percent. Organic sales are expected to grow two to four percent, reflecting modest volume growth with favorable pricing and mix. Favorable foreign exchange is expected to add four to five percent to net sales growth. Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations and Core EPS are expected to be in the range of $1.00 to $1.04, a decrease of two percent to an increase of two percent versus prior year, reflecting commodity cost increases, which will not yet be fully offset by pricing.