Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble exceeded Wall Street expectations Friday despite warning that ongoing Middle East conflicts will slash $150 million from annual profits due to rising production costs.
The company behind household brands like Tide detergent and Pantene shampoo reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, driven by robust sales of premium hair care and skincare products. However, P&G cautioned that fiscal 2026 earnings per share will likely fall at the bottom of its projected range of flat to 4% growth.
According to company officials, the financial strain stems from multiple factors including commodity price inflation, raw material exposure, and shipping disruptions tied to Middle East tensions. Oil prices have surged from $60 per barrel before the conflict began to approximately $100 currently, driving up costs for plastic and paper packaging materials as well as transportation fees.
A P&G representative indicated the financial impact could intensify starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 if regional conflicts persist. The company has not yet released its fiscal 2027 projections.
Other major consumer brands including Nestle have similarly flagged increased expenses due to shipping blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, which have contributed to oil price spikes.
Despite cost pressures, P&G saw volume growth across three of its five business divisions during the March quarter, bolstered by new product launches including updated Pantene formulations and Olay skincare lines priced at premium levels in North American and European markets.
Market trends show affluent shoppers continue purchasing higher-end items while budget-conscious consumers shift toward cheaper alternatives amid persistent cost-of-living pressures.
“We’re increasing investments to accelerate momentum with consumers despite the challenging geopolitical and economic environment,” stated Shailesh Jejurikar, who assumed the CEO role at the beginning of this year.
The company’s gross profit margins declined 100 basis points on a currency-neutral basis, marking the sixth consecutive quarterly drop, partially attributed to tariff expenses and continued product development investments.
P&G maintained its forecast of nearly $400 million in tariff-related losses for fiscal 2026. Roughly half of this impact resulted from tariffs enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in February.
Company officials plan to pursue refund applications through a process initiated this week, though they noted uncertainty regarding when any refunds might be processed.
Overall organic sales volume increased 2%, with the beauty division leading growth at 5%, while total pricing rose 1% during the third quarter.
French competitor L’Oreal similarly reported strong performance for luxury hair care products and fragrances across North America and Europe, achieving its fastest quarterly expansion in two years.
Meanwhile, Beiersdorf, which produces Nivea products, indicated it may implement price increases during the year’s second half if raw material costs continue climbing.
P&G’s quarterly revenue jumped 7% year-over-year to $21.24 billion, surpassing analyst projections of $20.50 billion according to LSEG data.
