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PZ Cussons hit by mounting costs
SOAP and shampoo maker PZ Cussons yesterday said trading remains challenging pressured by higher raw material costs, but sees more optimism for its next financial year led by growth in Asia and Nigeria.
The maker of Imperial Leather soaps and Carex anti-bacterial hand washes said results for its 26 January to 13 April period were in line with its expectations, but the outlook to the end of its financial year at the end of May will be hit by tough UK trading, the temporary delay to Nigerian elections and raw material costs.
The group said the resilience of its more premium brands in the UK, growth in Asia and the underlying improvement in demand in Nigeria all gave it cause for encouragement for its next financial year.