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UPDATE 1-Energizer quarterly profit falls

Published: 03 Nov 2009 17:35:01 PST

* Q4 EPS $0.53 vs yr ago $1.67

* Sales fall 3.9 percent to $1.08 bln

* Says to increase advertising and promotional spending

* Low double-digit growth in earnings ex-items possible

CHICAGO, Nov 3 - Energizer Holdings Inc posted a steep decline in quarterly profit, weighed down by charges related to job cuts and sluggish sales of its namesake batteries.

The maker of Energizer batteries, Schick razors and Playtex tampons said it could post low double-digit growth in earnings excluding unusual items in fiscal 2010, as it steps up advertising and promotional spending behind its brands.

Energizer earned $37.1 million, or 53 cents per share, in the fiscal fourth quarter that ended Sept. 30, down from $99.1 million, or $1.67 per share, a year earlier.

Sales fell 3.9 percent to $1.08 billion. The household products segment, which includes batteries, saw sales plunge 14 percent. A year earlier, battery sales were boosted by a busy hurricane season and sales leading into the holiday season.