Colgate Q4 results beat estimates as organic sales rise

Colgate Palmolive has announced financial results for the fourth quarter of 2014, showing a significant boost to an important sales metric and sending shares six percent higher.

The toothpaste giant achieved net sales of $4.2 billion (2.78 billion pounds) in the three-month period, a decrease of three percent year on year.

However, organic sales – defined as net sales excluding foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestments – climbed six percent on the back of increased volumes and improved margins.

In emerging markets, the figure was 9.5 percent, despite difficult economic conditions in those territories.

The positive reading resulted in earnings per share of 76 cents, beating a consensus estimate for 74 cents.

Commenting on the result, Ian Cook – Colgate's chairman, president and chief executive – said: "We are very pleased to have finished the year with strong, broad-based organic sales growth and higher profitability."