Alberto-Culver posts record Q1 sales

MELROSE PARK, Ill. Alberto-Culver, whose brands include TRESemme, Alberto VO5, Nexxus and St. Ives, posted record sales and earnings results for the first quarter thanks, in part, to solid growth of its Nexxus and TRESemme brands.

Net sales for the quarter increased 14.1 percent to $400.7 million from $351.1 million in the prior year.

Pre-tax income from continuing operations increased to $43.5 million from a loss of $1.3 million in the year-ago period. Excluding restructuring and other expenses of $4.8 million in the current quarter and $31.4 million in the prior year quarter, pre-tax earnings from continuing operations rose 60.5 percent to $48.3 million versus $30.1 million in the year-ago period.

The company also announced that the board of directors has increased the regularly quarterly cash dividend by 18.2 percent to 6.5 cents per share. The dividend will be paid on Feb. 20 to shareholders of record on Feb. 4.