Alberto-Culver Profits and Sales Rise

Alberto-Culver Co., whose brands range from St. Ives shampoo to Mrs. Dash seasoning, said Thursday that fourth-quarter profit rose 23%, helped by higher sales and a reduction in charges and interest expense. Alberto-Culver Company, based in Melrose Park, Ill., said earnings for the most recent quarter rose to $59 million (63 cents/share) from $48 million (52 cents) a year earlier. Excluding items such as a non-cash charge for converting shares to one class of stock, earnings would have been 66 cents a share, or 1 cent ahead of analysts’ average view, as compiled by Thomson First Call. Sales for the three months ended Sept. 30 advanced 6% to $900.7 million from $850.7 million in last year’s fourth quarter, but shy of analysts’ view for $912.8 million in sales.