Colgate announces Q1 results

NEW YORK — Colgate-Palmolive announced a boost in North America net sales for the first quarter and a gain in its share of the toothpaste market, thanks in part to the launch of Colgate Optic White and Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpastes, the company said Thursday.



North America net sales rose 5%, as organic sales rose 5.5% during the first quarter. New U.S. product launches — including Colgate Optic White and Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpastes, as well as the relaunch of Colgate Total toothpaste — are strengthening Colgate’s leadership in toothpaste. Its share of that market has reached 36.8% year to date, up 1 share point versus the year-ago period. The company noted that its strength in manual toothbrushes also continued, driven by the success of Colgate 360 Optic White, Colgate 360 Sensitive Pro-Relief and Colgate 360 Surround manual toothbrushes.



Worldwide net sales rose 5% to $4.2 billion. Organic sales grew 6.5%.



Net income and diluted earnings per share were $593 million and $1.23, respectively. Net income and diluted earnings per share in the year-ago period were $576 million and $1.16, respectively.