Energizer Holdings Q4 Profit Down, But Beats Estimates - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Energizer Holdings, Inc. (ENR) Wednesday reported a decline in its earnings for the fourth quarter, particularly hurt by the rise in SG&A, and advertising and sales promotion expenses. However, adjusted profit beat analysts' estimates. Net sales for the quarter grew 7.1 percent, primarily due to the incremental sales from the feminine care brands acquisition and organic growth within the Household Products segment.

The group said an unfavorable movement in foreign currencies is expected to result in a pre-tax profit impact of about $35 to $40 million in fiscal 2015.

Net earnings were down to $85.2 million or $1.36 per share from $105.1 million or $1.66 per share a year ago.

Excluding certain items, the group earned $1.87 per share. On average, 15 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of $1.61 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Quarterly sales rose to $1.141 billion from $1.066 billion last year, while analysts were looking for sales of $1.12 billion.

Advertising and sales promotion expenses grew to $153.4 million from $121.6 last year, while selling, general, and administrative expenses stood higher at $249.1 million compared with $212.8 million, a year ago.

Looking ahead, for fiscal 2015, the company expects total organic net sales to be flat.