Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to other peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Church & Dwight (NYSE:CHD), and the best and worst performers in the household products group.

Household products stocks are generally stable investments, as many of the industry's products are essential for a comfortable and functional living space. Recently, there's been a growing emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable offerings, reflecting the evolving consumer preferences for environmentally conscious options. These trends can be double-edged swords that benefit companies who innovate quickly to take advantage of them and hurt companies that don't invest enough to meet consumers where they want to be with regards to trends.

The 10 household products stocks we track reported a strong Q4; on average, revenues beat analyst consensus estimates by 2.3% Valuation multiples for growth stocks have reverted to their historical means after reaching highs in early 2021, but household products stocks held their ground better than others, with the share prices up 3.2% on average since the previous earnings results.

Church & Dwight (NYSE:CHD)

Best known for its Arm & Hammer baking soda, Church & Dwight (NYSE:CHD) is a household and personal care products company with a vast portfolio that spans laundry detergent to toothbrushes to hair removal creams.

Church & Dwight reported revenues of $1.53 billion, up 6.4% year on year, topping analyst expectations by 1.1%. It was a mixed quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' organic revenue growth estimates but underwhelming earnings guidance for the next quarter.

Matthew Farrell, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our full year 2023 results illustrate the strength of our brands, innovative new products, and our focus on execution. We are exiting the year with strong momentum after posting two consecutive quarters of year-over-year volume growth. We expect volume to continue to drive growth into 2024. Our domestic brands grew consumption in 10 of 17 categories in 2023. We grew share on brands representing 60% of our sales. Global online sales accounted for 20% of total consumer sales in 2023, an increase of 26% compared to 2022.

The stock is up 3.2% since the results and currently trades at $105.02.

Is now the time to buy Church & Dwight? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Best Q4: Clorox (NYSE:CLX)

Founded in 1913 with bleach as the sole product offering, Clorox (NYSE:CLX) today is a consumer products giant whose product portfolio spans everything from bleach to skincare to salad dressing to kitty litter.

Clorox reported revenues of $1.99 billion, up 16% year on year, outperforming analyst expectations by 10.3%. It was an incredible quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' earnings estimates, although some large one-time charges that were added back to arrive at the EPS (non-GAAP) figure likely made it difficult for Wall Street to model and project. In addition, its revenue and gross margin outperformed Wall Street's estimates.

Clorox delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 2.5% since the results and currently trades at $151.65.

Is now the time to buy Clorox? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Weakest Q4: Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB)

Originally founded as a Wisconsin paper mill in 1872, Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB) is now a household products powerhouse known for personal care and tissue products.

Kimberly-Clark reported revenues of $4.97 billion, flat year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 0.5%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' operating margin and EPS estimates due to $170 million of currency headwinds from its developing markets experiencing hyperinflation.

Kimberly-Clark had the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. The stock is up 3.1% since the results and currently trades at $128.8.

Read our full analysis of Kimberly-Clark's results here.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG)

Founded by candle maker William Procter and soap maker James Gamble, Proctor & Gamble (NYSE:PG) is a consumer products behemoth whose product portfolio spans everything from facial tissues to laundry detergent to feminine care to men’s grooming.

Procter & Gamble reported revenues of $21.44 billion, up 3.2% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 0.3%. It was a mixed quarter for the company: Volume and organic growth missed, leading to a slight revenue miss. However, EPS beat and full year guidance was raised and now stands above Consensus expectations.

The stock is up 6% since the results and currently trades at $156.75.

Read our full, actionable report on Procter & Gamble here, it's free.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL)

Formed after the 1928 combination between toothpaste maker Colgate and soap maker Palmolive-Peet, Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) is a consumer products company that focuses on personal, household, and pet products.

Colgate-Palmolive reported revenues of $4.95 billion, up 6.9% year on year, surpassing analyst expectations by 1.4%. It was a strong quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' organic revenue growth estimates. 2024 guidance was roughly in line with expectations, showing that the company is staying on track.

The stock is up 8.5% since the results and currently trades at $88.1.

Read our full, actionable report on Colgate-Palmolive here, it's free.

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