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Colgate-Palmolive Company: Q1 2008 Financial Summary

Business Context and Reporting Period

This Form 10-Q covers the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008. Colgate-Palmolive operates globally in two primary segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care, and Pet Nutrition (Hill's). The company is a large accelerated filer incorporated in Delaware. As of March 31, 2008, there were 507,809,236 shares of common stock outstanding.

Key Financial Metrics

Margins: Gross profit margin increased to 56.6% in Q1 2008 from 56.4% in Q1 2007. Operating profit margin was 19.5% in Q1 2008 compared to 20.3% in Q1 2007.

Material Changes vs. Prior Period

• Sales Growth: Net sales increased 15.5% year-over-year, driven by volume growth of 5.0%, net selling price increases of 3.0%, and a positive foreign exchange impact of 7.5%.
• Profitability: While operating profit rose 11% to $723.7 million, net income declined 4.1% to $466.5 million. The decline in net income was primarily due to the absence of a $48.6 million pretax gain from the sale of Latin American household bleach businesses recorded in Q1 2007.
• Restructuring: Pretax restructuring charges decreased to $38.4 million in Q1 2008 from $45.9 million in Q1 2007 as the 2004 Restructuring Program progresses.
• Regional Performance:
  • Latin America: Sales up 19.5% (volume +6.0%, price +6.0%, FX +7.5%).
  • Greater Asia/Africa: Sales up 19.5% (volume +8.0%, price +3.0%, FX +8.5%).
  • Europe/South Pacific: Sales up 15.0% (volume +3.0%, FX +13.0%, price -1.0%).
  • North America: Sales up 7.0% (volume +4.5%, price +1.5%, FX +1.0%).
• Cost Pressures: Gross margins in North America and Pet Nutrition were pressured by higher raw material and agricultural commodity costs, partially offset by pricing actions and cost-saving programs.

Guidance, Outlook, and Risks

• Restructuring Program: The 2004 Restructuring Program is on schedule for completion by December 31, 2008. Cumulative pretax charges are estimated between $1,000 million and $1,075 million. Projected annual savings range from $425 million to $475 million pretax.
• Capital Allocation: The Board approved a new stock repurchase program in January 2008 authorizing up to 30 million shares. The company increased its annualized common stock dividend by 11% to $1.60 per share. Capital expenditures for 2008 are expected to be approximately 4.5% of net sales.
• Tax Rate: The estimated full-year effective tax rate for 2008 is 33.0%, up from 32.0% in 2007, reflecting a change in the mix of income in foreign jurisdictions and higher U.S. taxes from remittances.
• Legal and Contingencies:
  • Competition Law: Investigations are ongoing in France, Switzerland, Romania, Germany, and the UK regarding competition law. The company was not fined in Germany due to cooperation but faces potential fines elsewhere.
  • Tax Disputes: Significant tax assessments exist in Mexico (VAT and transfer pricing) and Brazil (foreign exchange and interest deductions). Management intends to challenge these vigorously and believes they will not have a material impact.
  • ERISA Litigation: Three putative class actions regarding the Employees' Retirement Income Plan are pending in the U.S. Southern District of New York.

Investor Verification Checklist

• Verify the impact of foreign exchange rates on reported sales growth, as FX contributed 7.5% to the 15.5% total sales increase.
• Monitor the resolution of tax disputes in Mexico and Brazil, which involve assessments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
• Track the progress of the 2004 Restructuring Program to ensure projected savings of $425-$475 million are realized by year-end 2008.
• Review the outcome of competition law investigations in Europe, particularly in France and Switzerland, for potential fines.
• Assess the sustainability of gross margins given rising raw material and agricultural commodity costs.