Helen of Troy Limited posted third-quarter sales of $197 million, a decrease of 4% from the third quarter 2004, and quarter net earnings of $22 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, a decrease of 27.2%. Nine months sales increased 0.3% percent to $455million from sales in the previous year.
“While we have seen some improvement in personal care sales over last quarter, it is still less of an improvement than we had hoped to see,” said Gerald Rubin, chairman, CEO and president, Helen of Troy Limited. “These sales results—combined with a decline in our gross margin percentage and an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter and year-to-date—reduced our operating results compared to the previous year. A number of the same economic factors we experienced last quarter continue to impact our business today. We currently believe these factors may continue to impact fourth quarter results as well.”
