Overview of Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble (P&G) is a global leader in the fast-moving consumer goods industry, focused on providing branded consumer packaged goods of superior quality and value to consumers around the world. P&G’s products are sold in approximately 180 countries and territories, primarily through mass merchandisers, e-commerce channels, grocery stores, and other retail outlets. The company has on-the-ground operations in around 70 countries.

P&G operates in a highly competitive market environment, competing against other branded products as well as retailers’ private-label brands. The company’s reportable segments include Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. Some of P&G’s major brands include Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Olay, Gillette, Crest, Tide, Pampers, and Always.

Summary of Q1 FY2025 Results

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, P&G reported the following key results:

• Net sales decreased 1% to $21.7 billion, as increased pricing of 1% was more than offset by unfavorable foreign exchange of 1% and other impacts. Organic sales, which exclude the impacts of acquisitions, divestitures, and foreign exchange, increased 2%.

• Net earnings decreased 12% to $4.0 billion, primarily due to higher restructuring charges related to the substantial liquidation of operations in certain Enterprise Markets, including Argentina.

• Diluted earnings per share (EPS) decreased 12% to $1.61, while core EPS, which excludes incremental restructuring charges, increased 5% to $1.93.

• Operating cash flow was $4.3 billion, and adjusted free cash flow, which excludes certain payments, was $3.9 billion. Adjusted free cash flow productivity was 82%.

Economic Conditions and Uncertainties

P&G faces several economic and operational challenges that could impact its financial performance:

• Global macroeconomic factors, geopolitical tensions, and government policies in the various countries where it operates can negatively affect net sales, net earnings, and cash flows.

• Significant exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations, both in translation and transaction, can have a negative impact on results.

• Volatility in commodity and input material prices, as well as supply chain disruptions, can lead to increased costs.

• Changes in government policies, including tax policies and trade agreements, can also impact the company’s financial performance.

P&G closely monitors these economic and operational risks and works to mitigate their potential effects through various strategies, such as pricing actions, cost savings initiatives, and diversification of its global footprint.

Results of Operations

Net Sales:

• Net sales decreased 1% to $21.7 billion, as increased pricing of 1% was more than offset by unfavorable foreign exchange of 1% and other impacts.
• Organic sales, which exclude the impacts of acquisitions, divestitures, and foreign exchange, increased 2%.

Operating Costs:

• Gross margin increased 10 basis points to 52.1% of net sales, driven by manufacturing productivity savings and higher pricing, partially offset by higher commodity costs and unfavorable product mix.
• SG&A spending decreased 2% to $5.5 billion, and SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased 20 basis points to 25.4%, due to a decrease in other operating expenses, partially offset by an increase in marketing spending.
• Operating margin increased 30 basis points to 26.7%, as the increase in gross margin and the decrease in SG&A as a percentage of net sales more than offset the decrease in net sales.

Non-Operating Expenses and Income:

• Interest expense increased $13 million to $238 million, while interest income increased $7 million to $135 million.
• Other non-operating income/(expense) decreased $686 million to $(554) million, primarily due to a non-cash charge for accumulated foreign currency translation losses related to the substantial liquidation of operations in Argentina.

Income Taxes:

• The effective income tax rate increased to 22.4% from 21.5% in the prior-year period, primarily due to the charge for accumulated foreign currency translation losses, partially offset by higher excess tax benefits of share-based compensation and favorable geographic mix impacts.

Net Earnings:

• Net earnings decreased 12% to $4.0 billion, primarily due to the decrease in other non-operating income/(expense).
• Diluted EPS decreased 12% to $1.61, while core EPS, which excludes incremental restructuring charges, increased 5% to $1.93.

Segment Results

Beauty:

• Net sales decreased 5%, primarily due to unfavorable mix, a 2% decrease in unit volume, and unfavorable foreign exchange, partially offset by higher pricing.
• Net earnings decreased 13%, driven by the net sales decline and a 210-basis-point decrease in net earnings margin.

Grooming:

• Net sales were unchanged, as a 4% increase in unit volume and higher pricing were offset by unfavorable geographic mix and foreign exchange.
• Net earnings increased 1%, due to a 30-basis-point increase in net earnings margin.

Health Care:

• Net sales increased 2%, driven by favorable product mix and higher pricing, partially offset by a 1% decrease in unit volume and unfavorable foreign exchange.
• Net earnings increased 8%, due to the net sales growth and a 110-basis-point increase in net earnings margin.

Fabric & Home Care:

• Net sales increased 1%, as a 1% increase in unit volume and favorable mix were partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange.
• Net earnings increased 3%, due to the net sales increase and a 50-basis-point improvement in net earnings margin.

Baby, Feminine & Family Care:

• Net sales decreased 2%, due to a 1% decrease in unit volume and unfavorable foreign exchange.
• Net earnings decreased 1%, as the net sales decline was partially offset by a 20-basis-point increase in net earnings margin.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

• Operating cash flow was $4.3 billion, a decrease of $602 million versus the prior-year period, primarily due to working capital and other impacts.
• Investing activities used $1.1 billion of cash, mainly for capital expenditures and the settlement of net investment hedges.
• Financing activities used $0.6 billion of net cash, primarily for dividends and treasury stock purchases, partially offset by a net debt increase.
• As of September 30, 2024, current liabilities exceeded current assets by $9.0 billion, but the company anticipates being able to support its short-term liquidity and operating needs largely through cash generated from operations and access to debt markets.

Non-GAAP Measures

P&G uses several non-GAAP measures to provide investors with supplemental information about its business performance. These include:

Organic sales growth: Excludes the impacts of acquisitions, divestitures, and foreign exchange from year-over-year sales comparisons. Organic sales grew 2% in Q1 FY2025.

Adjusted free cash flow: Operating cash flow less capital expenditures and excluding U.S. Tax Act payments. Adjusted free cash flow was $3.9 billion in Q1 FY2025.

Adjusted free cash flow productivity: Ratio of adjusted free cash flow to net earnings, excluding a non-cash charge for accumulated foreign currency translation losses. Adjusted free cash flow productivity was 82% in Q1 FY2025.

These non-GAAP measures provide investors with a supplemental understanding of the company’s underlying sales and cash flow trends, which management uses for operational decision-making and performance evaluation.

Outlook and Conclusion

P&G faces several economic and operational challenges, including global macroeconomic volatility, foreign exchange fluctuations, commodity cost pressures, and changing government policies. The company has taken steps to mitigate these risks, such as implementing pricing actions, cost savings initiatives, and diversifying its global footprint.

Despite these headwinds, P&G delivered solid financial results in Q1 FY2025, with organic sales growth of 2% and a 5% increase in core EPS. The company’s strong brand portfolio, focus on innovation, and productivity improvements have helped it navigate the challenging environment.

Looking ahead, P&G will need to continue executing its strategies to drive profitable growth and generate strong cash flow. Maintaining its competitive position, managing costs effectively, and adapting to evolving consumer preferences will be critical to the company’s long-term success. Overall, P&G remains a well-positioned global consumer goods leader, with a diversified portfolio of leading brands and a focus on delivering value to shareholders.