Procter & Gamble's quarterly profits have risen by athird, helped by strong performance of products like CrestSpinbrush and its Actonel osteoporosis drug.
The maker of Tide laundry detergent, Old Spice deodorantand a host of other products posted net income of $1.46billion, or $1.04 a share, compared with $1.10 billion, or 79cents a share, a year ago.
Over the past two years, P&G has turned its business aroundwith a massive restructuring program that has eliminated asizable chunk of factory space and thousands of jobs.
At thesame time, the company has focused its resources on its biggestbrands in its largest market, while also boosting its presencein the hair-care business by acquiring Clairol.
Excluding restructuring charges, profit was $1.58 billion,or $1.12 a share, in the quarter, compared with $1.34 billion,or 96 cents a share, a year ago.
Analysts on average forecast earnings of $1.10 a share,with a range of $1.10 to $1.11, according to market researchfirm Thomson First Call.
On September 5th, the company raised itsoutlook to a forecast of 14 to 16 per cent earnings growth, oras high as $1.11 a share.