Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic sales growth for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was 2%, marking 40 consecutive quarters of organic sales growth [2][5] - Core earnings per share (EPS) increased by 3% year-over-year to $1.99, with a currency-neutral basis also reflecting a 3% increase [5] - Core gross margin decreased by 50 basis points, while core operating margin remained equal to the prior year [5] - Adjusted free cash flow productivity was reported at 102%, with $3.8 billion returned to shareholders, including $2.55 billion in dividends and $1.25 billion in share repurchases [5][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Skin and personal care led growth with high single-digit increases, while hair care, grooming, personal health care, home care, and baby care grew in low single digits [3][4] - Oral care and feminine care remained flat compared to the prior year, while fabric care and family care saw declines in low single digits [3] - In North America, organic sales were up 1%, with consumption decelerating throughout the quarter [3][4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic sales in Greater China grew by 5%, with Pampers and SK-II each achieving double-digit growth [4] - Latin America saw organic sales increase by 7%, driven by strong growth in Mexico and Brazil [4] - Global aggregate market share decreased by 30 basis points, with 24 of the top 50 category-country combinations holding or growing share [4][5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on increased investment in its integrated growth strategy, emphasizing consumer-centric approaches and innovation [6][15] - Plans include significant upgrades to core products, such as Tide's liquid detergent, and the introduction of new products like Tide Evo [8][10] - The restructuring program aims to enhance agility and efficiency, with a target of reducing up to 7,000 non-manufacturing roles [14][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a challenging competitive environment, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, but expressed confidence in the company's strategy to drive growth [5][15] - The guidance for fiscal 2026 maintains organic sales growth expectations of 2% to 4%, with core EPS growth also projected in the same range [16][17] - Management highlighted the importance of innovation and integrated superiority to navigate the current market challenges [15][38] Other Important Information - The company is actively managing its portfolio to enhance dollar-based returns and has made strategic exits from underperforming categories in certain markets [12][73] - The company expects to return approximately $15 billion to shareholders in fiscal 2026, including $10 billion in dividends and $5 billion in share repurchases [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the restructuring being received internally? - Management reported that the organization is adapting well to the restructuring, with clear plans in place for role reductions and organizational changes aimed at creating a more agile company [24][25] Question: What is the competitive landscape in North America for fabric care and baby care? - Management noted heightened competitive activity in both categories, with a focus on driving integrated superiority through innovation rather than just promotions [30][31] Question: What are the reasons for the decline in global market share? - Management indicated that the decline is influenced by increased promotional activity and competitive aggressiveness, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, but noted improvements in absolute share over recent months [36][38] Question: How is the company addressing consumer affordability? - Management emphasized that value, defined as price over integrated performance, is central to their strategy, with a focus on optimizing price points and product offerings across all tiers [50][51] Question: What is the outlook for the rest of the world, particularly in Western Europe and Latin America? - Management described Western Europe as having similar dynamics to North America, while Latin America continues to show strong growth, particularly in Brazil and Mexico [72][73]