Church & Dwight Q4: 3.5% Sales Growth, Dividend Boost, Warning On Weak Q1 EPS & More

Church & Dwight Co Inc CHD reported fourth-quarter sales growth of 3.5% year-on-year to $1.58 billion, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $1.56 billion.

Organic sales increased 4.2%, driven by 3.0% from higher volume and 1.2% from positive price and product mix.

Net sales from Consumer Domestic increased 2.7%, Consumer International grew 10.2% and Specialty Products declined 6.6%.

The company attributed the Consumer Domestic net sales growth to ARM & HAMMER liquid laundry detergent, HERO acne products, THERABREATH mouthwash, partially offset by declines in the vitamin business and SPINBRUSH.

Gross profit increased 3.9% to $707.9 million, with the gross margin expanding 10 basis points YoY to 44.7%. Adjusted EPS of $0.77 was in line with the consensus estimate.

Operating income for the quarter rose 18.8% to $256.7, with an operating margin of 16.2%.

The company held $964.1 million in cash and equivalents as of December-end. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year totaled $1.16 billion.

The company’s Board of Directors declared a 4% increase in the quarterly dividend from $0.28375 to $0.295 per share, payable March 3rd, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 14th, 2025.

Outlook: Church & Dwight expects FY25 net sales growth of 2.5% – 3.5% and organic sales growth of 3% – 4%. The company sees FY25 adjusted EPS growth of 7% – 8%. 

For the first-quarter, the company expects reported sales growth of approximately 1% and organic sales growth of approximately 2%.

The company expects first-quarter adjusted EPS to decline 6% YoY to $0.90, against the consensus of $0.98.

The company expects EPS growth to be weighted toward the second half of 2025, as marketing spending is weighted toward the first half.

Price Action: CHD shares are trading lower by 1.56% at $105.45 at the last check Friday.

Photo via Shutterstock.