Helen of Troy reports Q4, fiscal year results

EL PASO, Texas Helen of Troy reported sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended Feb. 28, 2009.

Fourth quarter sales decreased 3.8% to $138.6 million. Sales in the personal care segment decreased 6.1% to $94 million in the fourth quarter, compared with $100.1 million for the same period last year.

Earnings per share for the fourth quarter was $0.36, compared with $9.81 million, or $0.31 per fully diluted share, for the same quarter of the prior year, an increase of 16.1% per fully diluted share.

Fiscal year net sales decreased 4.6% to $622.7 million, from $652.5 million in the prior fiscal year. Net sales in the housewares segment for the full year increased 6.9% to $175.5 million, compared with $164.1 million for the same period last year. Meanwhile, net sales in the personal care segment for the full year decreased 8.4% to $447.2 million, compared with $488.4 million in the year-ago period.

"The domestic retail environment continues to be challenging and is expected to continue that way for a number of quarters. However, as the business environment begins to improve, we are well positioned to take advantage of our leadership role in our marketplace and categories," stated Gerald Rubin, president and CEO of Helen of Troy.