Investing.com -- Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL) reported first-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations, with adjusted earnings per share of $0.97 compared to the consensus estimate of $0.94 and revenue of $5.32 billion versus the estimate of $5.22 billion.

The consumer products company posted net sales growth of 8.4% YoY, while organic sales increased 2.9%. Revenue rose from $4.91 billion in the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted EPS climbed 7% from $0.91 in the year-ago period, though GAAP EPS declined 6% to $0.80 from $0.85. The company's stock rose 1.9% following the announcement.

"We delivered a strong start to 2026, with broad-based top and bottom-line growth," said Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Net sales and organic sales grew in every category and in four of five divisions with a nice balance of volume and pricing growth."

The company maintained its full-year 2026 guidance for net sales growth of 2% to 6% and organic sales growth of 1% to 4%. However, Colgate-Palmolive updated its gross profit margin outlook to down from previously expected growth, both on a GAAP and adjusted basis. The company continues to expect low to mid-single-digit adjusted EPS growth for the full year.

Gross profit margin decreased 20 basis points to 60.6% in the quarter. Net cash provided by operations totaled $747 million for the first three months of 2026.

Colgate-Palmolive maintained its market leadership positions with a 41.1% global market share in toothpaste and 32.6% in manual toothbrushes year to date. The company also announced an expansion of its Strategic Growth and Productivity Program, increasing estimated cumulative pretax charges to $350 million to $550 million from the previous range of $200 million to $300 million.