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Procter & Gamble beats earnings estimates but reveals waning demand in some categories

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Procter & Gamble beats earnings estimates but reveals waning demand in some categories


Procter & Gamble on Friday reported fiscal first-quarter earnings and revenue that beat analysts’ expectations, lifted by higher demand for its beauty and grooming products.

Despite higher costs from tariffs and what CEO Jon Moeller called a “challenging consumer and geopolitical environment,” P&G reiterated its forecast for all-in sales and earnings for the fiscal year, which began in July.

Here’s what the company reported for the quarter that ended on Sept. 30 compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

  • Earnings per share: $1.99 adjusted vs. $1.90 expected
  • Revenue: $22.39 billion vs. $22.18 billion expected

P&G reported fiscal first-quarter net income attributable to the company of $4.75 billion, or $1.95 per share, up from $3.96 billion, or $1.61 per share, a year earlier.

Excluding certain items, including costs associated with incremental restructuring, the consumer giant earned $1.99 per share.

Net sales rose 3% to $22.39 billion. Organic sales — which strips out the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and foreign currency — increased 2% in the quarter.

Though revenue metrics were higher, P&G’s volume was flat compared with the year-ago period. Volume excludes pricing, which makes it a more accurate reflection of demand than sales. Like many consumer companies, P&G has seen demand for some of its products fall as inflation-weary consumers seek out deals.

‘K-shaped’ shopping

“The consumer environment is not great, but stable,” CFO Andre Schulten said on a call with media, adding that shoppers have behaved similarly in the last few quarters.

In the United States, the company’s largest market, consumption across P&G’s broad swath of products has slowed “a little bit,” according to Schulten. Like Coca-Cola, P&G is seeing a bifurcation in how consumers are shopping based on their incomes, often described as a “K-shaped” economy.

Shoppers who are less cash constrained are buying bigger pack sizes from club and online retailers, Schulten said.

“That’s their way to look for value,” he said.

But U.S. consumers living paycheck to paycheck are looking to stretch their money further by using every bottle of detergent or shampoo to the last drop and exhausting their pantry inventory before shopping for more, according to Schulten.

At the same time, private label brands are losing market share, bucking previous shopping trends during economic downturns, executives said on the company’s conference call. After the recession in 2008, P&G shifted its strategy to create more premium products that couldn’t be easily substituted with cheaper private label versions.

Boxes of Tide Pods dishwasher detergent are displayed at a Costco Wholesale store on July 12, 2025 in San Diego, California.

Kevin Carter | Getty Images News | Getty Images

P&G reported Friday that volume for both its health care and fabric and home care divisions, which include Tide and Swiffer, fell 2% during the quarter.

The company is seeing “heightened competition” in those categories, fueled by promotions and discounting from rivals, executives said on the conference call. To win back customers, P&G is focusing on innovation that can justify higher prices and convince shoppers that its products are superior. For example, Schulten said that Tide is starting shipments of its “biggest upgrade to liquid detergent in 20 years.”

The company’s baby, feminine and family care segment reported flat volume for the quarter. That division includes brands like Pampers and Tampax.

P&G’s beauty business was a bright spot. The division, which includes Olay and SK-II, reported volume growth of 4% and overall sales growth of 6%. Olay’s Super Serum line was the brand’s top performer, showing that customers were willing to pay more for premium skincare.

And P&G’s grooming business, which includes Gillette and Venus razors, saw volume rise 1% in the quarter for a sales increase of 5%.

For fiscal 2026, the company is now projecting that President Donald Trump’s tariffs will result in $400 million in after-tax costs, down from its prior outlook of $800 million. When P&G originally formulated its forecast, it included retaliatory tariffs on Canada, which have since been rescinded. As a result, the company is now planning a smaller raise in prices than it expected, Moeller said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Friday morning.

However, Trump said on Thursday evening that he is terminating all trade talks with Canada over a TV ad, which could mean higher costs ahead for P&G.

P&G also reiterated its fiscal 2026 forecast of sales growth between 1% and 5% and earnings per share in the range of $6.83 to $7.09.



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US consumer price inflation hits 3.8% in April, highest in nearly 3 years as Iran war fuels energy costs – The Times of India

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US consumer price inflation hits 3.8% in April, highest in nearly 3 years as Iran war fuels energy costs – The Times of India


US inflation rose in April to 3.8 per cent as surging fuel costs amid the ongoing Iran-US conflict drove up consumer prices, hitting a three-year high complicating the Federal Reserve’s path on interest rates.Data released by the Labor Department on Tuesday showed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.6 per cent in April after a 0.9 per cent jump in March, the biggest monthly rise since June 2022. On an annual basis, inflation accelerated to 3.8 per cent, marking the highest year-on-year increase, since May 2023.Petrol prices in the US are now more than 28 per cent higher than a year ago, according to official data. AAA estimates show average gasoline prices have crossed $4.50 per gallon, roughly 44 per cent above year-ago levels, squeezing household budgets and raising concerns about broader economic fallout.The spike in energy prices follows the escalation of hostilities between the US, Israel and Iran earlier this year. Markets were rattled after Tehran blocked access through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global energy route that handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, remained relatively contained. Core CPI rose 0.4 per cent month-on-month and 2.8 per cent annually, suggesting that higher fuel costs have not yet fully spread across the wider economy.Food prices also edged higher in April. Grocery costs rose 0.7 per cent from March, led by increases in meat prices after a slight decline in the previous month.The latest inflation reading adds to uncertainty for the Federal Reserve, which had earlier been expected to begin cutting interest rates in 2026. Policymakers are now signalling caution amid fears that prolonged geopolitical tensions and elevated oil prices could trigger another wave of inflation.US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the Fed for not lowering borrowing costs faster to support economic growth. Attention is now turning to Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee to succeed outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, whose Senate confirmation is expected this week.Higher fuel costs are also beginning to weigh on corporate America. Appliance maker Whirlpool Corporation said last week that quarterly revenue fell nearly 10 per cent, warning that the war-driven economic slowdown had severely dented consumer confidence.



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EBay rejects £41.4 billion GameStop takeover offer

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EBay rejects £41.4 billion GameStop takeover offer



EBay has turned down a 56 billion US dollar (£41.4 billion) takeover move from GameStop, labelling the proposal as “neither credible or attractive”.

GameStop boss Ryan Cohen launched an unsolicited offer of 125 dollars (£92.40) per share – half in cash and half in GameStop stock – to eBay shareholders last week.

However, the online marketplace’s board confirmed on Tuesday that it had now rejected the move.

In a letter, eBay chairman Paul Pressler said it reviewed the offer but believes that eBay is a “strong, resilient business”.

He added: “We have sharpened our strategic focus, strengthened execution, enhanced our marketplace and seller experience, and consistently returned capital to shareholders.

“With its differentiated global marketplace and a clear strategy, eBay’s board is confident that the company, under its current management team, is well-positioned to continue to drive sustainable growth, execute with discipline, and deliver long-term value for our shareholders.”

GameStop, which runs around 1,600 shops around the US, said it started accumulating eBay shares earlier this year and currently has a 5% stake.

Mr Cohen had previously indicated he would take his proposal directly to eBay shareholders if the company’s board rejected the deal.



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India’s retail inflation jumps to over one-year high at 3.48 per cent in April – The Times of India

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India’s retail inflation jumps to over one-year high at 3.48 per cent in April – The Times of India


India’s retail inflation rose to a more than one-year high of 3.48 per cent in April from 3.40 per cent in March, driven mainly by higher food prices, according to data released by ministry of statistics & programme implementation on Monday. Food inflation, measured by the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), also accelerated to 4.20 per cent in April from 3.87 per cent last month, indicating broader price pressures across household essentials. Meanwhile, inflation in rural areas stood at 3.74 per cent, higher than the 3.16 per cent recorded in urban India.Among key items, silver jewellery recorded the sharpest inflation at 144.34 per cent in April, though slightly lower than 148.42 per cent in March. Gold, diamond and platinum jewellery inflation also remained elevated at 40.72 per cent. Among key food items, tomato prices surged 35.28 per cent year-on-year in April, while potato and onion prices remained in deflation at minus 23.69 per cent and minus 17.67 per cent, respectively. The personal care and miscellaneous goods category recorded the sharpest inflation at 17.66 per cent, while transport inflation remained largely flat at minus 0.01 per cent. India’s retail inflation has now risen for the second consecutive month, inching closer to the Reserve Bank of India’s 4 per cent medium-term target. The RBI last month projected CPI inflation for 2026-27 at 4.6 per cent and warned that elevated global energy prices due to the Middle East conflict, along with possible El Niño conditions affecting the monsoon, could pose upside risks to inflation.



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