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Colgate-Palmolive(CL) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
CLColgate-Palmolive(CL)2025-04-25 15:51
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Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates a 200millionincrementalimpactfromtariffsin2025comparedtoinitialguidance[11]−Advertisingspendingisatanall−timehigh,reflectingastrongfocusondrivingROI[16]−ThecompanydeliveredstrongprofitgrowthinQ1despitemarketvolatility[17]BusinessLineDataandKeyMetricsChanges−TheHill′sbusinesssawa5200 million incremental impact from tariffs in 2025 compared to initial guidance [11] - Advertising spending is at an all-time high, reflecting a strong focus on driving ROI [16] - The company delivered strong profit growth in Q1 despite market volatility [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Hill's business saw a 5% organic growth, indicating strong performance across all price tiers [69] - The company is focused on core innovation, including the relaunch of Colgate Total and Hill's Science Diet with ActiveBiome technology [10][62] - The company experienced a negative 3% organic sales growth in Q1 [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In North America, there was a notable softness in volume due to lower store traffic and consumer uncertainty [129] - Latin America continues to show strong market share performance, with expectations of recovery as the macro environment stabilizes [56][132] - The Chinese market remains challenging, particularly for the Hawley and Hazel business, while Colgate continues to perform well [57] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on selling daily use products and enhancing brand health to drive long-term sustainable growth [9][22] - There is a commitment to innovation and premiumization, with plans to accelerate innovation in the second half of the year [62][119] - The company aims to leverage its global portfolio and geographic breadth to mitigate risks associated with market volatility [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges a weaker consumer environment and expects continued volatility in 2025 [8][17] - There are early signs of category improvement in April, providing some confidence for the future [10][28] - The company anticipates that consumer confidence will return, leading to improved consumption in the medium term [80] Other Important Information - The company has invested approximately 2 billion in its U.S. supply chain over the past five years to enhance flexibility [12][104] - The company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet with low levels of net debt [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Consumer pressures and category growth outlook - Management noted that while there was a slowdown in volume growth, early signs in April indicate potential stabilization and recovery in categories [28][30] Question: North America shipment and consumption trends - Management confirmed that shipments are pacing well with category improvements, although more work is needed in North America [35][36] Question: Pricing approach and tariff impacts - Management indicated that pricing improved sequentially and that they are taking a market-specific approach to offset tariff impacts [41][44] Question: Emerging markets performance - Management reported strong market share in Latin America and ongoing challenges in China, with expectations for gradual improvement [55][57] Question: Advertising spend and innovation plans - Management clarified that advertising spending remains strong and that innovation plans are on track, with a focus on stimulating consumption [60][62] Question: Hill's brand performance amid trading down - Management stated that there has been no trade down in the Hill's brand, which continues to perform well across all price tiers [69][70] Question: Tariff exposure and mitigation strategies - Management outlined strategies to mitigate tariff impacts through productivity, revenue growth management, and alternative sourcing [100][104] Question: Back half of the year expectations - Management expressed confidence in improved category growth rates and market share performance in the back half of the year [121][125]