Reuben Mark Profit Quotations

Good growth, together with strong margin improvement in every division, drove us to another record in both dollar profit and profitability, ... Every geographic area met or exceeded our volume expectations despite economic problems in some areas of the developing world.

With weak economic conditions around the world, this was a strong finish to a strong year, ... The combination of sharply higher gross margin and excellent overhead control allowed us to provide a healthy increase in total marketing spending worldwide while also meeting our profit expectations.

Operating profits will be up nicely. We expect another good quarter, with unit volume up in every operating division, solid upward movement in gross profit margin and a worldwide increase in advertising support.

We are especially encouraged by the 110 basis point improvement in gross profit margin during the quarter, to an all-time record and the largest quarterly gross profit increase in over three years.

Despite sharply rising energy costs, we expect our gross profit margin, before restructuring charges, to be up nicely for the year as a result of our ongoing cost-savings initiatives, improved pricing, restructuring and promotional savings.