P&G misses quarterly sales estimates on weakening demand in US, China

PROCTER & Gamble missed Wall Street expectations for first-quarter sales on Friday (Oct 18), as consumers in its major markets, the US and China, switched to cheaper household and personal care brands.

An uncertain economy in the US has pushed customers mainly from the lower income group to hunt for products at the cheapest price possible, hurting sales at P&G, which is facing competition from rivals discounting their offerings and cheaper private label brands.

Additionally, a grim demand environment in its second largest market, China, has resulted in P&G underperforming peers such as Nestle and Unilever.

P&G reported a 1 per cent increase in overall organic volumes in the first quarter, while the average prices across its product categories rose 1 per cent.

The company’s first-quarter net sales fell to US$21.74 billion from US$21.87 billion a year earlier. Analysts had expected US$21.91 billion, according to LSEG data.

Shares of the Dawn dish soap maker were marginally up in premarket trading. REUTERS