The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Energizer (NYSE: ENR) and the rest of the household products stocks fared in Q3.

Household products stocks are generally stable investments, as many of the industry's products are essential for a comfortable and functional living space. Recently, there's been a growing emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable offerings, reflecting the evolving consumer preferences for environmentally conscious options. These trends can be double-edged swords that benefit companies who innovate quickly to take advantage of them and hurt companies that don't invest enough to meet consumers where they want to be with regards to trends.

The 10 household products stocks we track reported a mixed Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.1% below.

While some household products stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4% since the latest earnings results.

Energizer (NYSE: ENR)

Masterminds behind the viral Energizer Bunny mascot, Energizer (NYSE: ENR) is one of the world's largest manufacturers of batteries.

Energizer reported revenues of $805.7 million, flat year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with full-year EBITDA guidance topping analysts’ expectations but a significant miss of analysts’ gross margin estimates.

"We finished fiscal 2024 with solid performances across both Battery and Auto Care, driving adjusted earnings growth above our initial expectations," said Mark LaVigne, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Interestingly, the stock is up 2.2% since reporting and currently trades at $34.89.

Is now the time to buy Energizer? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q3: Clorox (NYSE: CLX)

Founded in 1913 with bleach as the sole product offering, Clorox (NYSE: CLX) today is a consumer products giant whose product portfolio spans everything from bleach to skincare to salad dressing to kitty litter.

Clorox reported revenues of $1.76 billion, up 27.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.6%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA and organic revenue estimates.

Clorox scored the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 1.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $159.43.

Is now the time to buy Clorox? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Slowest Q3: Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT)

Enhancing the lives of both pets and homeowners, Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) is a leading producer and distributor of essential products for pet care, lawn and garden maintenance, and pest control.

Central Garden & Pet reported revenues of $669.5 million, down 10.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 5.9%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ organic revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

Central Garden & Pet delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $38.80.

Read our full analysis of Central Garden & Pet’s results here.

WD-40 (NASDAQ: WDFC)

Short for “Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try”, WD-40 (NASDAQ: WDFC) is a renowned American consumer goods company known for its iconic and versatile spray, WD-40 Multi-Use Product.

WD-40 reported revenues of $156 million, up 11.1% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 4.6%. However, it was a slower quarter as it logged a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

WD-40 had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 9.3% since reporting and currently trades at $240.11.

Read our full, actionable report on WD-40 here, it’s free.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL)

Formed after the 1928 combination between toothpaste maker Colgate and soap maker Palmolive-Peet, Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) is a consumer products company that focuses on personal, household, and pet products.

Colgate-Palmolive reported revenues of $5.03 billion, up 2.4% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a decent beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 8.5% since reporting and currently trades at $91.30.

Read our full, actionable report on Colgate-Palmolive here, it’s free.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed's series of rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has cooled significantly from its post-pandemic highs, drawing closer to the 2% goal. This disinflation has occurred without severely impacting economic growth, suggesting the success of a soft landing. The stock market has thrived in 2024, spurred by recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% each in November and December), and a notable surge followed Donald Trump's presidential election win in November, propelling indices to historic highs. Nonetheless, the outlook for 2025 remains clouded by the pace and magnitude of future rate cuts as well as potential changes in trade policy and corporate taxes once the Trump administration takes over. The path forward is marked by uncertainty.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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