WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Church & Dwight Co. Inc. (CHD) reported that its fourth-quarter profit attributable to company increased to $80.8 million from $63.8 million last year. Profit per share was $0.57 compared to $0.44 last year. Excluding the tax valuation allowance in 2011, earnings per share increased 8%, from $0.53 per share to $0.57 per share. The company's Avid acquisition was earnings neutral.
On average, 17 analysts expected the company to report fourth-quarter profit per share of $0.57. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
Net Sales increased to $809.7 million from $731.1 million last year. Analysts expected revenue of $805.08 million for the quarter. Organic sales increased 4.4%, driven by volume growth of 4.3% and the 0.1% positive effect of price.
The company forecasts fiscal 2013 earnings per share to be $2.79, which is the upper end of its previously communicated range of $2.74 to $2.79, and an increase of 14% on a reported basis. The company expects first-quarter earnings per share to increase approximately 8% compared to the prior year. Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter profit per share of $0.73, and fiscal 2013 profit per share of $2.79.
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