Replies to post #4866 on The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

More color on PG’s FY3Q12 results:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304811304577369553120154614.html

P&G and other global consumer-products companies have been dealing with weak performance in developed [i.e. non-emerging] markets for some time, where many consumers haven't bounced back from the economic downturn. The rise in commodity costs over the past year has prompted P&G and its peers to raise prices in an environment that was not amenable to consumers paying more. In some cases, competitors held off on price increases while P&G moved its prices higher.

It is reversing course in some categories, either by outright lowering prices or increasing promotions. The categories include the powdered laundry business in the U.S., plus oral care, automatic dishwashing detergent, and blades and razors in North America. P&G is also lowering prices on its laundry businesses in the U.K. and Mexico.

[DewDiligence]

PG issued preliminary guidance for FY2013* and lowered FY4Q12 EPS guidance by 4 cents:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/80424/000008042412000046/deutschebankpressrelease.htm

Organic sales [excluding acquisitions, divestitures, and currency] are expected to increase in the range of two to four percent. Core [non-GAAP] earnings per share are expected to be in-line to up mid-single digits percentage versus fiscal 2012 results.

P&G noted that foreign exchange, based on early-June spot rates, will negatively impact fiscal 2013 EPS growth by approximately four percentage points. Excluding foreign exchange impacts, P&G’s core earnings per share outlook equates to approximately mid-to-high single digit growth.

PG also issued non-GAAP EPS guidance for FY4Q12 (the current quarter) of $0.75-0.79, four cents below the prior range of $0.79-0.83; the reduction was due to market softness and currency effects. With the $0.04 reduction for FY4Q12 announced today, FY2012 non-GAAP EPS guidance is now $3.79-3.84.

All told, not a pretty picture, although PG can't be blamed for the negative effects of the strong US Dollar vs the Euro and other international currencies.

*The fiscal year ends on June 30 of each year.