Colgate Q4 Earnings Top Estimates, Strong Pricing Drives Results

Core Insights - Colgate-Palmolive Company reported strong fourth-quarter 2025 results, with both revenue and earnings exceeding expectations, driven by solid pricing and brand strength in oral care and pet nutrition [1][2] Financial Performance - Earnings per share (EPS) on a non-GAAP basis were 95 cents, a 4% increase year-over-year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 91 cents [2] - Net sales reached $5.230 billion, up 5.8% from the previous year, also exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.088 billion [2] - Organic sales grew by 2.2%, despite a 0.9% negative impact from reduced private-label pet volume, with a positive currency effect of 3.1% [2] Segment Analysis - North America: Net sales decreased by 1.5% year-over-year, with a 2.3% drop in volume offset by a 0.5% rise in pricing [11] - Latin America: Net sales increased by 12.8% year-over-year, driven by a 4.2% rise in pricing and a 2.3% increase in volume [12] - Europe: Net sales rose by 9.8% year-over-year, supported by a 1% increase in pricing and a positive currency effect of 8.1% [12] - Asia Pacific: Net sales declined by 0.3% year-over-year, with a 2.2% drop in volume, but a 2.3% rise in pricing helped offset losses [13] - Africa/Eurasia: Net sales improved by 15% year-over-year, driven by 9.1% growth in pricing and a 4.7% favorable currency effect [13] - Hill's Pet Nutrition: Net sales increased by 4.9% year-over-year, benefiting from a 3% rise in pricing [14] Profitability Metrics - Base business gross profit was $3.15 billion, a 5.5% increase from the prior year, with a gross profit margin of 60.2%, down 10 basis points [8] - Adjusted SG&A expenses totaled $1.98 billion, up 4.5% year-over-year, maintaining a percentage of sales at 38.3% [9] - Adjusted operating profit was $1.11 billion, a 3% increase year-over-year, with an operating profit margin of 21.2%, down 50 basis points [10] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - Colgate ended Q4 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.28 billion and total debt of $7.9 billion [15] - The company returned $2.9 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases over the past 12 months [15] 2026 Outlook - Colgate anticipates net sales growth of 2-6% for 2026, with organic sales projected to increase by 1-4% [16] - Management expects gross margin expansion and double-digit growth in EPS for 2026 [17]