Colgate-Palmolive Company achieved all-time record sales, operating profit, net income and earnings per share in the fourth quarter and year ended 31 December 2002.(Brief Article)

Cosmetics International, February, 2003

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE Company achieved all-time record sales, operating profit, net income and earnings per share in the fourth quarter and year ended 31 December 2002. Worldwide unit volume rose 6% in the fourth quarter, and earnings per share grew 20% to $.59 per diluted share versus $.49 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2001.

Dollar sales in the fourth quarter rose 4%, the largest dollar sales growth in more than five years. Gross profit margin increased 100 basis points to 54.6%, with the increase at the top end of the company's target range.