Alberto Culver Company (NYSE: ACV), a leading manufacturer and marketer of beauty care brands including TRESemme, Alberto VO5, Nexxus, St. Ives, Simple and Noxzema, has announced results for its fiscal year 2011 first quarter.

The company reports:

* Net sales for the first quarter increased 11.7% to $405.3 million compared to $363.0 million in the prior year first quarter. On an organic basis, which excludes the effect of foreign currency fluctuations and acquisitions, sales increased 4.4% in the current quarter.
* Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased 27.0% to 47 cents in the first quarter compared to 37 cents in the prior year first quarter. Excluding restructuring and discrete items, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased 13.0% to 52 cents compared to 46 cents in the prior year first quarter.

In the U.S., sales increased 2.8% in the first quarter, largely due to strength in hair care, particularly Nexxus. International sales on a reported basis increased 25.2% (the net effect of foreign currency fluctuations and acquisitions accounted for approximately 18.3% of the growth) behind strong growth in all regions in both hair care and skin care.

The company’s gross profit margin was 53.2% in the first quarter compared to 53.4% in the prior year first quarter. The slight decrease in gross margin was primarily due to higher input costs.

Advertising and other marketing investments in the first quarter increased 9.6% to $55.0 million compared to $50.1 million in the prior year first quarter.

Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased 110 basis points to 20.4% in the first quarter compared to 21.5% in the prior year first quarter. While a portion of the improvement was due to sales growth coupled with continued cost containment, the prior year first quarter also included costs in the U.S. related to the SAP implementation and the ramp up of production at the company’s Jonesboro, Arkansas, manufacturing facility.

Carol Lavin Bernick, executive chairman of Alberto Culver, announced that the company’s board of directors approved the regular 8.5 cents quarterly cash dividend. The dividend will be paid on February 23, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 10, 2011.