The Procter & Gamble Company has reported net sales of $18.2 billion in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020, up five percent versus the prior year. Unfavorable foreign exchange negatively impacted sales by one percentage point for the quarter. Excluding the net impacts of foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestitures, organic sales also increased five percent driven by a three percent increase in organic shipment volume. Increased pricing contributed one percent to net sales. Positive mix was a one percent help to net sales driven by the disproportionate organic growth of the Health Care segment and the Skin and Personal Care category, both of which have higher than company average selling prices.
 
Beauty Segment
 
Beauty segment organic sales increased eight percent versus a year ago. Skin and Personal Care organic sales increased double digits driven by premium innovation and increased pricing. Hair Care organic sales increased mid-single digits driven by premium innovation, positive mix impact from the disproportionate growth of premium products and devaluation-driven price increases.
 
Grooming Segment
 
Grooming segment organic sales increased four percent versus a year ago. Shave Care organic sales increased low single digits driven by innovation and devaluation-driven price increases partially offset by related unit volume declines in certain markets and competitive activity. Appliances organic sales increased high single digits driven by innovation and positive mix impact from the disproportionate growth of premium products.
 
Healthcare Segment
 
Health Care segment organic sales increased seven percent. Oral Care organic sales increased mid-single digits due to innovation and positive mix in the premium toothpaste and toothbrush segments. Personal Health Care organic sales increased high single digits primarily due to innovation, increased marketing spending, increased pricing and positive mix due to strong growth in North America Respiratory category, which has higher than average selling prices. Personal Health Care all-in sales increased over 30% versus the base period with the addition of the Merck OTC business.
 
Fabric and Home Care Segment
 
Fabric and Home Care segment organic sales increased five percent for the quarter. Fabric Care organic sales increased mid-single digits driven by innovation and positive mix driven by the disproportionate growth of premium products, partially offset by retailer inventory decreases in Japan following the build-up in advance of the October VAT increase. Home Care organic sales increased high single digits driven by innovation, increased pricing and positive mix due to the disproportionate growth of premium products.
 
Baby, Feminine and Family Care Segment
 
Organic sales increased one percent versus a year ago. Baby Care organic sales decreased low single digits due to competitive activity, category contraction in certain markets and retailer inventory decrease in Japan following the October VAT increase, partially offset by positive mix due to premium innovation. Feminine Care organic sales increased mid-single digits driven by innovation, increased marketing spending and positive product mix resulting from the disproportionate growth of premium products. Family Care organic sales increased low single digits due to innovation and increased pricing, partially offset by unfavorable mix impact due to the disproportionate growth of large sizes.
 
“We delivered another strong quarter of organic sales growth, core earnings per share and cash returned to shareowners,” said David Taylor, chairman, president and CEO. “Our strong first half results enable us to further increase our outlook for the full fiscal year across each of these metrics and to increase our commitment of cash return to shareowners. Our focus remains on executing our strategies of superiority, productivity, constructive disruption and improving P&G’s organization and culture to deliver balanced top-line and bottom-line growth along with strong cash generation in a challenging competitive and macroeconomic environment.”