Sector: Consumer Staples|Industry: Household & Personal Products|Market Cap: $25.64B|Employees: 5.5K
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of consumer household and personal care products, as well as specialty products focused on animal and food production, chemicals, and cleaners. The company's well-recognized brands include ARM & HAMMER, OXICLEAN, and VITAFUSION. They sell products through a broad distribution platform that includes supermarkets, mass merchandisers, and e-commerce channels, with a significant global presence.
Net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, were $1,503.3 million, an increase of $73.5 million or 5.1% compared to the same period in 2023. The increase was driven by a 3.7% increase in product volumes sold and a 1.5% increase in pricing/product mix.
Gross margin increased to 45.7% in the first quarter of 2024, a 220 basis point improvement compared to 43.5% in the same period of 2023. This improvement is attributed to favorable price/mix/volume, productivity programs, and lower transportation costs, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs.
Net income per share diluted increased to $0.93, a 13.4% increase compared to $0.82 in the same period of 2023. This increase reflects the overall improvement in financial performance.
In March, the company signed a definitive agreement to acquire Graphico, Inc., a Japan-based distributor focused on consumer goods, health foods, and cosmetics. The acquisition is expected to contribute to greater expansion of the business in the APAC region.
Marketing expenses increased by 24.3% to $152.0 million, representing 10.1% of net sales. This increase is primarily due to increased marketing spend to support new product introductions.
During the first quarter of 2024, the company exited the MEGALAC supplement portion of its Animal Nutrition business within the SPD segment. Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 were $7.1 and $11.4, respectively.
Gross margin benefited from the impact of productivity programs, contributing 130 basis points to the overall increase. This indicates effective cost management and operational efficiency initiatives.
The company has implemented strategies to address the decline in profitability of Finishing Touch Flawless. However, if unsuccessful, a further decline could trigger a future impairment charge.
While management has implemented strategies to address the risk, significant changes in operating plans or adverse changes in the future could reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair value. Due to the results of the Company's annual impairment test of the WATERPIK trade name, the Company monitors the performance of this business on at least a quarterly basis.
The current economic environment presents risks that could have adverse consequences for our liquidity. See “Unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect demand for our products” under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Form 10-K.
The Company's global WATERPIK business has continued to experience a significant decline in customer demand for many of its products, primarily due to lower consumer spending for discretionary products from inflation and a growing number of water flosser consumers switching to more value-branded products.
The vitamin category continues to experience a softening of growth from record high levels during the COVID-19 pandemic and significant product competition coming from new category entrants.
The vitamin category has grown from a few competitors a decade ago to more than 60 of significance. In addition, residual impacts from previous vitamin-specific supply chain challenges have resulted in reduced shelf space for VITAFUSION and L'IL CRITTERS at certain retailers and consumers switching to competitor's brands.
Waterpik's profitability has also been impacted by tariffs imposed on its products imported into the United States that were manufactured in China. As a result, the WATERPIK business has experienced declining sales and profits resulting in a reduction in expected future cash flows which have eroded a substantial portion of the excess between the fair and carrying value of the trade name.
The increase in net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024, includes growth from THERABREATH® mouth wash, HERO® acne treatment products, ARM & HAMMER® cat litter, ARM & HAMMER® baking soda, XTRA® liquid detergent and BATISTE® dry shampoo, partially offset by declines in VITAFUSION® and L'IL CRITTERS® gummy dietary supplements and WATERPIK® water flossers and showerheads.
Gross margin benefited from the impact of productivity programs, contributing 130 basis points to the overall increase. This indicates effective cost management and operational efficiency initiatives.
Gross margin increased 220 bps in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, due to favorable price/mix/volume of 130 bps, the impact of productivity programs of 130 bps, and lower transportation costs of 80 bps, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs including labor and commodities of 110 bps and unfavorable foreign exchange of 10 bps.
Gross margin increased 220 bps in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, due to favorable price/mix/volume of 130 bps, the impact of productivity programs of 130 bps, and lower transportation costs of 80 bps, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs including labor and commodities of 110 bps and unfavorable foreign exchange of 10 bps.
The higher expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 are primarily due to growth investments in our international division and R&D.
Marketing expenses as a percentage of net sales in the first quarter of 2024 increased by 150 bps to 10.1% as compared to 8.6% in the same period in 2023 due to 200 bps on higher expense primarily from increased marketing spend to support new product introductions, partially offset by 50 bps of leverage on higher net sales.
This report contains forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements relating to net sales and earnings growth; gross margin changes; trade and marketing spending; marketing expense as a percentage of net sales; sufficiency of cash flows from operations; earnings per share; the impact of new accounting pronouncements; cost savings programs; recessionary conditions; interest rates; inflation; consumer demand and spending; the effects of competition; the effect of product mix; volume growth, including the effects of new product launches into new and existing categories; the decline of condom usage; the Company's hedge programs; the impact of foreign exchange, and commodity price fluctuations; impairments and other charges; the Company's investments in joint ventures; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; capital expenditures; the Company's effective tax rate; the impact of tax audits; tax changes; the effect of the credit environment on the Company's liquidity and capital resources; the Company's fixed rate debt; compliance with covenants under the Company's debt instruments; the Company's commercial paper program; the Company's current and anticipated future borrowing capacity to meet capital expenditure program costs; the Company's share repurchase programs; payment of dividends; environmental and regulatory matters; the availability and adequacy of raw materials, including trona reserves and the conversion of such reserves; and the customers and consumer acceptance of certain ingredients in our products.
On January 31, 2024, the Board declared a 4% increase in the regular quarterly dividend from $0.2725 to $0.28375 per share, equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.135 per share, payable to stockholders of record as of February 15, 2024.
During the first quarter of 2024 the Company did not repurchase any shares of Common Stock pursuant to its share repurchase programs.
We anticipate that our cash from operations, together with our current borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to fund our share repurchase programs to the extent implemented by management, pay debt and interest as it comes due, pay dividends at the latest approved rate, and meet our capital expenditure program costs, which are expected to be approximately $180.0 in 2024 primarily for manufacturing capacity investments in laundry and litter to support expected future sales growth.
This report contains forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements relating to net sales and earnings growth; gross margin changes; trade and marketing spending; marketing expense as a percentage of net sales; sufficiency of cash flows from operations; earnings per share; the impact of new accounting pronouncements; cost savings programs; recessionary conditions; interest rates; inflation; consumer demand and spending; the effects of competition; the effect of product mix; volume growth, including the effects of new product launches into new and existing categories; the decline of condom usage; the Company's hedge programs; the impact of foreign exchange, and commodity price fluctuations; impairments and other charges; the Company's investments in joint ventures; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; capital expenditures; the Company's effective tax rate; the impact of tax audits; tax changes; the effect of the credit environment on the Company's liquidity and capital resources; the Company's fixed rate debt; compliance with covenants under the Company's debt instruments; the Company's commercial paper program; the Company's current and anticipated future borrowing capacity to meet capital expenditure program costs; the Company's share repurchase programs; payment of dividends; environmental and regulatory matters; the availability and adequacy of raw materials, including trona reserves and the conversion of such reserves; and the customers and consumer acceptance of certain ingredients in our products.
This report contains forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements relating to net sales and earnings growth; gross margin changes; trade and marketing spending; marketing expense as a percentage of net sales; sufficiency of cash flows from operations; earnings per share; the impact of new accounting pronouncements; cost savings programs; recessionary conditions; interest rates; inflation; consumer demand and spending; the effects of competition; the effect of product mix; volume growth, including the effects of new product launches into new and existing categories; the decline of condom usage; the Company's hedge programs; the impact of foreign exchange, and commodity price fluctuations; impairments and other charges; the Company's investments in joint ventures; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; capital expenditures; the Company's effective tax rate; the impact of tax audits; tax changes; the effect of the credit environment on the Company's liquidity and capital resources; the Company's fixed rate debt; compliance with covenants under the Company's debt instruments; the Company's commercial paper program; the Company's current and anticipated future borrowing capacity to meet capital expenditure program costs; the Company's share repurchase programs; payment of dividends; environmental and regulatory matters; the availability and adequacy of raw materials, including trona reserves and the conversion of such reserves; and the customers and consumer acceptance of certain ingredients in our products.
This report contains forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements relating to net sales and earnings growth; gross margin changes; trade and marketing spending; marketing expense as a percentage of net sales; sufficiency of cash flows from operations; earnings per share; the impact of new accounting pronouncements; cost savings programs; recessionary conditions; interest rates; inflation; consumer demand and spending; the effects of competition; the effect of product mix; volume growth, including the effects of new product launches into new and existing categories; the decline of condom usage; the Company's hedge programs; the impact of foreign exchange, and commodity price fluctuations; impairments and other charges; the Company's investments in joint ventures; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; capital expenditures; the Company's effective tax rate; the impact of tax audits; tax changes; the effect of the credit environment on the Company's liquidity and capital resources; the Company's fixed rate debt; compliance with covenants under the Company's debt instruments; the Company's commercial paper program; the Company's current and anticipated future borrowing capacity to meet capital expenditure program costs; the Company's share repurchase programs; payment of dividends; environmental and regulatory matters; the availability and adequacy of raw materials, including trona reserves and the conversion of such reserves; and the customers and consumer acceptance of certain ingredients in our products.
This report contains forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements relating to net sales and earnings growth; gross margin changes; trade and marketing spending; marketing expense as a percentage of net sales; sufficiency of cash flows from operations; earnings per share; the impact of new accounting pronouncements; cost savings programs; recessionary conditions; interest rates; inflation; consumer demand and spending; the effects of competition; the effect of product mix; volume growth, including the effects of new product launches into new and existing categories; the decline of condom usage; the Company's hedge programs; the impact of foreign exchange, and commodity price fluctuations; impairments and other charges; the Company's investments in joint ventures; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; capital expenditures; the Company's effective tax rate; the impact of tax audits; tax changes; the effect of the credit environment on the Company's liquidity and capital resources; the Company's fixed rate debt; compliance with covenants under the Company's debt instruments; the Company's commercial paper program; the Company's current and anticipated future borrowing capacity to meet capital expenditure program costs; the Company's share repurchase programs; payment of dividends; environmental and regulatory matters; the availability and adequacy of raw materials, including trona reserves and the conversion of such reserves; and the customers and consumer acceptance of certain ingredients in our products.
This report contains forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements relating to net sales and earnings growth; gross margin changes; trade and marketing spending; marketing expense as a percentage of net sales; sufficiency of cash flows from operations; earnings per share; the impact of new accounting pronouncements; cost savings programs; recessionary conditions; interest rates; inflation; consumer demand and spending; the effects of competition; the effect of product mix; volume growth, including the effects of new product launches into new and existing categories; the decline of condom usage; the Company's hedge programs; the impact of foreign exchange, and commodity price fluctuations; impairments and other charges; the Company's investments in joint ventures; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; capital expenditures; the Company's effective tax rate; the impact of tax audits; tax changes; the effect of the credit environment on the Company's liquidity and capital resources; the Company's fixed rate debt; compliance with covenants under the Company's debt instruments; the Company's commercial paper program; the Company's current and anticipated future borrowing capacity to meet capital expenditure program costs; the Company's share repurchase programs; payment of dividends; environmental and regulatory matters; the availability and adequacy of raw materials, including trona reserves and the conversion of such reserves; and the customers and consumer acceptance of certain ingredients in our products.
This report contains forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements relating to net sales and earnings growth; gross margin changes; trade and marketing spending; marketing expense as a percentage of net sales; sufficiency of cash flows from operations; earnings per share; the impact of new accounting pronouncements; cost savings programs; recessionary conditions; interest rates; inflation; consumer demand and spending; the effects of competition; the effect of product mix; volume growth, including the effects of new product launches into new and existing categories; the decline of condom usage; the Company's hedge programs; the impact of foreign exchange, and commodity price fluctuations; impairments and other charges; the Company's investments in joint ventures; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; capital expenditures; the Company's effective tax rate; the impact of tax audits; tax changes; the effect of the credit environment on the Company's liquidity and capital resources; the Company's fixed rate debt; compliance with covenants under the Company's debt instruments; the Company's commercial paper program; the Company's current and anticipated future borrowing capacity to meet capital expenditure program costs; the Company's share repurchase programs; payment of dividends; environmental and regulatory matters; the availability and adequacy of raw materials, including trona reserves and the conversion of such reserves; and the customers and consumer acceptance of certain ingredients in our products.