This increase combined with a reduction in overhead expenses allowed us to build our overall profitability while still investing in even stronger levels of advertising behind our global brands.

275

We are pleased that our strong top-line momentum continued this quarter across all operating divisions and on top of the outstanding growth achieved in the year ago period. We are especially encouraged that global pricing was positive for the first time in two years, despite difficult cost and competitive environments.

243

All operating and financial ratios by which we measure profitability and momentum improved versus the year-ago quarter.

204

These strong second-quarter results give us great encouragement that our momentum will continue in the second half of this year and the year 2000.

202

The excellent [1%] improvement in gross profit margin excluding restructuring charges during the quarter exceeded our expectations, and was the largest quarterly gross profit increase we have seen in three years.

139

This sale is part of Colgate's ongoing strategy to de-emphasize and eliminate low-margin portions of the business while focusing on our high-margin, fast-growing oral, personal and pet care businesses.

136

Operating profits will be up nicely. We expect another good quarter, with unit volume up in every operating division, solid upward movement in gross profit margin and a worldwide increase in advertising support.

126

Every operating division achieved strong volume growth and increased operating profits both absolutely and as a percent to sales, ... It is especially encouraging to see dollar operating profits rise strongly even in Latin America and Europe despite currency pressures.

120

Good growth, together with strong margin improvement in every division, drove us to another record in both dollar profit and profitability, ... Every geographic area met or exceeded our volume expectations despite economic problems in some areas of the developing world.

119