Looking back on household products stocks' Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter's best and worst performers, including WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC) and its peers.

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% Investors abandoned cash-burning companies to buy stocks with higher margins of safety, but household products stocks held their ground better than others, with the share prices up 2.5% on average since the previous earnings results.

WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC)

Short for “Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try”, WD-40 (NASDAQGS:WDFC) is a renowned American consumer goods company known for its iconic and versatile spray, WD-40 Multi-Use Product.

WD-40 reported revenues of $140.4 million, up 12.4% year on year, topping analyst expectations by 4.5%. It was an impressive quarter for the company, with a solid beat of analysts' revenue estimates.

“We have started fiscal year 2024 firing on all cylinders, with significant volume-related sales growth across all three trade blocs,” said Steve Brass, WD-40 Company’s president and chief executive officer.

The stock is up 6.4% since the results and currently trades at $251.82.

Is now the time to buy WD-40? 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 down 1% since the results and currently trades at $146.55.

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 1.3% since the results and currently trades at $126.49.

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

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT)

Enhancing the lives of both pets and homeowners, Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQGS:CENT) is a leading producer and distributor of essential products for pet care, lawn and garden maintenance, and pest control.

Central Garden & Pet reported revenues of $634.5 million, up 1.1% year on year, surpassing analyst expectations by 2.8%. It was a very strong quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' earnings estimates.

The stock is up 9.4% since the results and currently trades at $41.1.

Read our full, actionable report on Central Garden & Pet here, it's free.

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 5.2% since the results and currently trades at $155.56.

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

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