The Procter & Gamble Company delivered four percent sales growth to $22.1 billion for the October – December quarter. Growth was driven by higher volume and pricing actions, partially offset by geographic and product mix.

The Company continued to deliver broad-based organic sales growth, with all six business segments up versus the prior year. Diluted net earnings per share were $0.57 per share, reflecting non-core charges of $0.53 per share. The non-core items included a $0.50 per share non-cash impairment charge associated with the Appliances and Salon Professional businesses. Core net earnings per share were $1.10, toward the high end of the Company’s expectations for the quarter.

“We continue to make progress against our key business priorities in a difficult macroeconomic environment,” said Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Bob McDonald. “We delivered solid top-line growth and continued to accelerate productivity improvements to drive down costs. With the easing of commodity cost comparisons over the next two quarters, continued solid top-line growth and cost savings progress, we expect operating profit growth to accelerate in the second half of the fiscal year.”

Beauty net sales increased one percent to $5.4 billion on unit volume growth of one percent. Organic sales grew two percent on two percent organic volume growth. Price increases added three percent to net sales growth. Mix reduced net sales by four percent due to disproportionate growth in developing regions, which have lower than segment average selling prices, and a decrease in the premium-priced product categories. Favorable foreign exchange increased net sales by one percent. Volume grew high single digits in developing markets and decreased mid-single digits in developed regions.

Volume in Hair Care increased mid-single digits behind high-single-digit growth in developing regions due to product innovation activity and distribution expansions in Asia, while developed regions decreased mid-single digits. Volume in Skin Care, Personal Care and Cosmetics decreased low single digits due to the Zest and Infasil divestitures, Olay share loss in developed markets and the volume impact of price increases due to consumer value differences relative to competitive products in North America. Volume in Salon Professional declined high single digits due to market contraction in Europe, distribution share losses and non-strategic brand discontinuations. Volume in Prestige Products decreased low single digits driven by minor brand divestitures and a strong initiative base in the prior year, offset by current year market growth and initiatives for SK-II. Net earnings declined eight percent to $802 million as higher commodity costs more than offset the impact of sales growth.

Grooming net sales increased one percent to $2.2 billion. Unit volume increased one percent. Organic sales were up two percent. Price increases added two percent to net sales growth, while unfavorable product mix decreased net sales by two percent mainly due to a reduction in premium appliances, which have higher than segment average selling prices. Volume grew high single digits in developing regions and decreased mid-single digits in developed regions. Shave Care volume grew low single digits due to high single-digit growth in developing regions behind product and commercial innovation, Fusion ProGlide geographic expansion and market growth, partially offset by a mid-single-digit decrease in developed regions due to market contraction and competitive activity. Volume in Appliances decreased double digits primarily due to a decrease in Western Europe as markets contracted and competitive activity increased. Net earnings increased two percent to $517 million, largely consistent with net sales growth.

The company reports its outlook is positive. Net sales are expected to increase three to four percent in fiscal 2012. Organic sales are expected to increase four to five percent. For the January – March quarter, net sales growth is estimated to be in line with year ago to up two percent. Organic sales are expected to grow three to five percent, with continued benefit from pricing.