Energizer Holdings Reports Rise in Quarterly Profit

Energizer Holdings Inc. (St. Louis, MO) announced that quarterly profit rose as lower expenses and a one-time gain offset sluggish sales caused by stiff competition and retail weakness. Energizer posted profit of $86.4 million, or $0.95 a share, in the fiscal first quarter ended December 31, 2002, compared with $70.4 million, or $0.76 a share, a year ago. Excluding non-recurring income of $0.04 a share from intellectual property rights, the company posted profit of $0.91 a share. Sales rose to $572.4 million from $567.7 million a year ago.