Newell profit tops estimates; raises dividend

Stock Market Predictions

NEW YORK (Global Markets) - Newell Rubbermaid Inc's (NWL.N) quarterly profit beat Wall Street expectations on strength in emerging markets and price increases.

The maker of Sharpie pens and Rubbermaid storage containers said it was on track to meet its full-year outlook and will raise its quarterly dividend by 60 percent to 8 cents a share. Its shares were up 1.3 percent at $19.99 in premarket trading on Friday.

Newell has raised prices of some products to offset rising oil and resin costs. Makers of everything from soap to diapers have said they will pass on some costs to shoppers. Procter & Gamble (PG.N) sees its costs soaring about three times as much at it had anticipated earlier.

Newell's first-quarter net profit rose to $75.7 million, or 25 cents a share, from $58.4 million, or 19 cents a share, a year earlier.

Excluding items, it earned 30 cents a share, beating the analysts' average estimate of 28 cents, according to Thomson Global Markets I/B/E/S.

Sales fell 0.3 percent to $1.30 billion, while analysts expected $1.33 billion. Sales in developing markets, where the company has substantially increased its investment, rose double digits in the first quarter. U.S. sales fell 4 percent as bargain-hungry shoppers traded down and the company cut back on discounts.

"While sales were a bit light, we think Newell will be able to adjust its offering relatively quickly," BMO Capital markets analyst Connie Maneaty said, highlighting Newell's plans to launch more "value-priced" options and step up promotions.

Newell repeated its 2011 profit forecast of $1.67 to $1.70 a share, excluding items. It also backed its core sales growth outlook of 4 to 5 percent and gross margin forecast calling for an improvement of 0.5 to 0.75 percentage point.

(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn, Derek Caney, Dave Zimmerman)