Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE ticker CL.N) announced quarterly results on Friday, with net sales of $4.91 billion, exceeding the expected $4.87 billion, and gross margin increased by 80 basis points, surpassing Wall Street and other financial advisors' expectations. Colgate-Palmolive plans to moderately raise prices to address potential cost and raw material increases due to tariffs, while also avoiding increases in advertising and marketing expenses. For stock investors, although the company has lowered its expected earnings, it remains steady in growth. However, the cost will ultimately be passed on, as Colgate-Palmolive prepares to continue raising prices on its core toothpaste products to offset tariff impacts.
Colgate-Palmolive has been working to mitigate the impact of tariffs on raw materials and the company's toothpaste production in Mexico for the US market. Following new tariff policies announced by the US and China, Colgate-Palmolive expects tariffs to increase sales costs by approximately $200 million this year. Due to tariff uncertainties, other consumer product brands like Procter & Gamble Co (NYSE ticker PG.N) and Kimberly-Clark (NYSE ticker KMB.N) have also made pessimistic annual profit forecasts and reduced sales estimates. For consumers, these three consumer product leaders may raise retail prices at any time, so it might be wise to stock up on some items before price increases.
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