Church & Dwight Earnings: While Sales Pop, Competition Heats Up; Shares Far From a Bargain

Church & Dwight posted 5% organic sales growth in the first quarter, but this was against a 1.2% downdraft a year ago. The hit from inflation and tariffs (190 basis points) was countered by cost savings and acquisitions, resulting in a 130-basis-point jump in the adjusted gross margin to 46.4%.