Alberto-Culver Co. (ACV:NYSE)

Alberto-Culver Co. reported consolidated unaudited earnings results for fourth quarter and full year ended September 30, 2009. For the quarter the company reported net earnings of $31,663,000 or $0.32 per basic share on net sales of $385,191,000 compared to net earnings of $147,087,000 or $1.51 per basic share on net sales of $385,987,000 for the same period a year ago. Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes was $44,694,000 compared to earnings from continuing operations before income taxes of $45,432,000 for the same period a year ago. For full year, the company reported net earnings of $119,374,000 or $0.01 per diluted share on net sales of $1,433,980,000 compared to net earnings of $228,154,000 or $1.22 per diluted share on net sales of $1,443,456,000 for the same period a year ago. Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes was $185,838,000 compared to earnings from continuing operations before income taxes of $170,807,000 for the same period a year ago. The company reported operating earnings of $183.165 million compared to the operating earnings of $161.221 million for the same period a year ago. The company's board of directors approved the regular 7.5 cents quarterly cash dividend. The dividend will be paid on November 20, 2009 to shareholders of record on November 5, 2009.

Ralph Nicoletti, CFO of Alberto-Culver Co. said, “We're actively looking at acquisitions domestically and outside the US. I wouldn't try to ascribe where our cash is to how we would fund any acquisition at this point. Rest assured we have plenty of flexibility to make acquisitions inside and outside the US as well as repurchase shares.” When asked, “And are you looking at any acquisitions that are beyond just the stated goal of expanding the distribution potential of your existing brands, or are you looking maybe to add additional brands as maybe equally as importantly as just the geographic footprint?”, Jim Marino, CEO of the firm said, “We're looking at both. We're looking at brands, businesses, and companies that could offer us infrastructure to enter new markets. So we're looking at all of the above.”

Alberto-Culver Co. expected to Report Q1 2010 Results on January 25, 2010. This event was calculated by Capital IQ (Created on October 26, 2009).