Colgate-Palmolive Co.’s stock rose 2.9% early Friday, after the consumer goods giant beat first-quarter earnings estimates and raised its guidance.
The company had net income of $683 million, or 83 cents a share, for the first quarter, up from $372 million, or 45 cents a share, in the year-earlier period.
Adjusted EPS came to 86 cents, ahead of the 81-cent FactSet consensus. Sales rose to $5.065 billion from $4.770 billion a year ago and were also ahead of the $4.960 billion FactSet consensus.
“The strong gross and operating margin expansion in the quarter funded a 16% increase in advertising and we expect strong levels of brand investment over the balance of 2024,” CEO Noel Wallace said in prepared remarks.
The company raised its full-year guidance and now expects sales to grow 2% to 5%, compared with prior guidance of 1% to 4%.
The stock has gained 12% in the year to date, while the S&P 500 has gained 5.8%.