Procter & Gamble on Friday reported fiscal first-quarter earnings and income that beat analysts’ expectations, lifted by greater demand for its magnificence and grooming merchandise.
Regardless of greater prices from tariffs and what CEO Jon Moeller referred to as a “difficult shopper and geopolitical surroundings,” P&G reiterated its forecast for all-in gross sales and earnings for the fiscal 12 months, which started in July.
Here is what the corporate reported for the quarter that ended on Sept. 30 in contrast with what Wall Road was anticipating, based mostly on a survey of analysts by LSEG:
- Earnings per share: $1.99 adjusted vs. $1.90 anticipated
- Income: $22.39 billion vs. $22.18 billion anticipated
P&G reported fiscal first-quarter web revenue attributable to the corporate of $4.75 billion, or $1.95 per share, up from $3.96 billion, or $1.61 per share, a 12 months earlier.
Excluding sure objects, together with prices related to incremental restructuring, the patron large earned $1.99 per share.
Internet gross sales rose 3% to $22.39 billion. Natural gross sales — which strips out the impression of acquisitions, divestitures and international foreign money — elevated 2% within the quarter.
Although income metrics have been greater, P&G’s quantity was flat in contrast with the year-ago interval. Quantity excludes pricing, which makes it a extra correct reflection of demand than gross sales. Like many shopper firms, P&G has seen demand for a few of its merchandise fall as inflation-weary customers hunt down offers.
‘Okay-shaped’ procuring
“The patron surroundings is just not nice, however steady,” CFO Andre Schulten mentioned on a name with media, including that consumers have behaved equally in the previous few quarters.
In the USA, the corporate’s largest market, consumption throughout P&G’s broad swath of merchandise has slowed “a little bit bit,” based on Schulten. Like Coca-Cola, P&G is seeing a bifurcation in how customers are procuring based mostly on their incomes, typically described as a “Okay-shaped” economic system.
Customers who’re much less money constrained are shopping for greater pack sizes from membership and on-line retailers, Schulten mentioned.
“That is their approach to search for worth,” he mentioned.
However U.S. customers residing paycheck to paycheck want to stretch their cash additional through the use of each bottle of detergent or shampoo to the final drop and exhausting their pantry stock earlier than purchasing for extra, based on Schulten.
On the identical time, non-public label manufacturers are dropping market share, bucking earlier procuring traits throughout financial downturns, executives mentioned on the corporate’s convention name. After the recession in 2008, P&G shifted its technique to create extra premium merchandise that could not be simply substituted with cheaper non-public label variations.
Packing containers of Tide Pods dishwasher detergent are displayed at a Costco Wholesale retailer on July 12, 2025 in San Diego, California.
Kevin Carter | Getty Photographs Information | Getty Photographs
P&G reported Friday that quantity for each its well being care and cloth and residential care divisions, which embrace Tide and Swiffer, fell 2% through the quarter.
The corporate is seeing “heightened competitors” in these classes, fueled by promotions and discounting from rivals, executives mentioned on the convention name. To win again prospects, P&G is specializing in innovation that may justify greater costs and persuade consumers that its merchandise are superior. For instance, Schulten mentioned that Tide is beginning shipments of its “largest improve to liquid detergent in 20 years.”
The corporate’s child, female and household care section reported flat quantity for the quarter. That division consists of manufacturers like Pampers and Tampax.
P&G’s magnificence enterprise was a brilliant spot. The division, which incorporates Olay and SK-II, reported quantity development of 4% and general gross sales development of 6%. Olay’s Tremendous Serum line was the model’s prime performer, displaying that prospects have been keen to pay extra for premium skincare.
And P&G’s grooming enterprise, which incorporates Gillette and Venus razors, noticed quantity rise 1% within the quarter for a gross sales enhance of 5%.
For fiscal 2026, the corporate is now projecting that President Donald Trump’s tariffs will end in $400 million in after-tax prices, down from its prior outlook of $800 million. When P&G initially formulated its forecast, it included retaliatory tariffs on Canada, which have since been rescinded. In consequence, the corporate is now planning a smaller increase in costs than it anticipated, Moeller mentioned on CNBC’s “Squawk Field” on Friday morning.
Nevertheless, Trump mentioned on Thursday night that he’s terminating all commerce talks with Canada over a TV advert, which may imply greater prices forward for P&G.
P&G additionally reiterated its fiscal 2026 forecast of gross sales development between 1% and 5% and earnings per share within the vary of $6.83 to $7.09.
