Church & Dwight 1Q Profit Rises

Church & Dwight Co. Inc., announced an increase in its first-quarter profit, growing 6% as U.S. consumer sales climbed.

Profit rose to $39.9 million (60 cents per share) compared with a profit of $37.7 million (56 cents per share) during the same period last year. Revenue climbed 5% to $442.4 million from $420.7 million last year.

Sales include $12.3 million for two businesses acquired late last year, the SpinBrush battery-powered toothbrush business bought from Procter & Gamble Co., and a skin care operation in Brazil.

According to a Thomson Financial poll, analysts predicted an average profit of 53 cents on revenue of $439.4 million.

U.S. consumer sales grew almost 6% to $314 million, as liquid laundry detergent, pet products, condoms and pregnancy kits sales were up. This was partly offset by lower toothpaste and antiperspirant sales. Consumer international sales grew 5% to $72.8 million and specialty products sales grew about 4% to $55.6 million.