Procter and Gamble reports nine percent quarterly sales increase

Procter and Gamble's net sales rose by 8.9 percent to $21.9 billion (13.8 billion pounds) in the July to September quarter, although the firm also saw its net income fall by two percent.

The company said net sales in the healthcare division increased by ten percent to $3.3 billion on unit volume growth of three percent, buoyed by the expansion of Oral-B toothpaste in western Europe and Latin America and new toothbrush initiatives in Asia.

Although the firm has faced calls from investors to improve its profit margins, president and chief executive Bob McDonald declared himself satisfied with the latest financial results.

"We maintained strong top-line growth momentum in a difficult operating environment," he said.

Mr McDonald added that Procter and Gamble is currently "well positioned" to bolster its earnings as the fiscal year progresses.

The company posted organic sales growth of four percent and core earnings per share growth of eight percent for the previous fiscal year, which ended on June 30th 2011.