Glance: Consumer products weather volatile market

Consumer products companies are deciding how much they can raise prices without driving away consumers. They look forward to seeing lower commodity costs help the bottom line. Three large consumer goods companies reported results this week:

_Procter & Gamble Co.: The maker of Tide detergent, Pampers diapers and Olay skin care items posted a nearly 9 percent increase in its fiscal first-quarter profit and a 9 percent rise in revenue, but dropped the low end of its earnings guidance for the full fiscal year.

_Colgate-Palmolive Co.: The toothpaste maker reported a 19 percent gain in third-quarter earnings as revenue rose 13 percent and gave a confident forecast for double-digit profit growth in 2009.

_Clorox Co.: The maker of its namesake bleach and Burt's Bees products said its fiscal first-quarter profit rose 15 percent as revenue grew 12 percent, and it confirmed its 2009 profit outlook.

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	Clorox 1Q profit rises 15 pct on price hikes	Associated Press	Fri Oct 31	0
	Colgate-Palmolive 3Q profit rises as sales jump	Associated Press	Thu Oct 30	0