Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) reported third-quarter earnings that surpassed analysts' expectations, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.52, which was $0.11 higher than the consensus estimate of $1.41. However, the company experienced a slight setback as revenue for the quarter was reported at $20.2 billion, falling short of the analysts' consensus of $20.44 billion. The stock responded with a modest decline of 1.2%, reflecting investor reaction to the revenue miss.
The consumer goods giant saw a 1% increase in net sales compared to the same quarter last year, with organic sales, which exclude foreign exchange and acquisitions and divestitures, rising by 3%. This growth was primarily driven by a 3% increase from higher pricing, with volume and product mix having a neutral impact. Despite facing multiple headwinds, P&G delivered an 11% increase in diluted net earnings per share compared to the prior year, with currency-neutral EPS up by an impressive 18%.
Chairman, President, and CEO Jon Moeller highlighted the company's solid sales and strong earnings growth, which enabled P&G to raise its EPS growth guidance while maintaining its top-line outlook for the fiscal year. Moeller attributed the success to the company's integrated strategy focused on product superiority and market growth investments.
Looking ahead, P&G maintained its fiscal 2024 guidance for all-in sales growth in the range of 2% to 4% versus the prior year, with organic sales growth expected to be between 4% and 5%. The company raised its guidance for fiscal 2024 diluted net earnings per share growth from a range of -1% to inline, to a new range of 1% to 2% versus fiscal 2023 EPS of $5.90. Moreover, core net earnings per share growth projections were lifted from 8%-9% to 10%-11%.
P&G now anticipates unfavorable foreign exchange rates to be a headwind of approximately $600 million after tax, with net impacts from interest expense and income expected to be a $100 million after-tax headwind. However, the company forecasts a $900 million after-tax benefit from favorable commodity costs for fiscal year 2024. The core effective tax rate is projected to be between 20% and 21%.
In fiscal 2024, P&G plans to maintain its adjusted free cash flow productivity at 90% and anticipates returning over $9 billion to shareholders through dividends and repurchasing $5 to $6 billion of common shares.
Despite the revenue shortfall, P&G's commitment to shareholder returns and strategic investments in product superiority underscore the company's confidence in sustaining momentum and delivering balanced growth and value creation.