Church and Dwight hails solid first quarter financial performance

Church and Dwight has expressed satisfaction with its first quarter financial performance for 2011 after experiencing a year-on-year rise in sales.

The consumer products firm reported net sales of $642.3 million (393.02 million pounds), with organic sales and volume growth rates recorded at 1.2 percent and 3.2 percent respectively.

International consumer sales were noted as its strongest area of expansion during the three months, with the company also observing that its financial results have exceeded expectations.

For the year as a whole, Church and Dwight expects to achieve organic sales growth in the three to four percent range, despite the overall weakness of the economy.

James Craigie, chairman and chief executive officer of the company, said: "The consumer appeal of our unique portfolio of both value and premium brands continues to be strong as reflected in steady share gains on our eight power brands over the past four years."

It comes after the firm reported a 2.7 percent rise in sales in its financial breakdown for last year.