Procter and Gamble posts strong second quarter results

Procter and Gamble has published its financial results for the second quarter of the 2011/12 business year, during which it delivered organic sales growth of four percent.

The multinational consumer products manufacturer's sales total for the October to December 2011 quarter came to $22.1 billion (13.98 billion pounds), with all six of its business segments growing for the second successive quarter.

Operating cash flow for the period totalled $3.3 billion, with developments from its healthcare division that contributed to sales including innovation in its Vicks portfolio and a major new partnership with Teva.

Company chairman, president and chief executive officer Bob McDonald said Procter and Gamble was able to meet its key business priorities despite a challenging macroeconomic climate.

"We delivered solid top-line growth and continued to accelerate productivity improvements to drive down costs," he said.

Procter and Gamble is aiming to bolster sales in 2012 through a prominent presence at the London 2012 Olympic Games, with British swimmer Keri-anne Payne having been recently hired as a brand ambassador.