Clorox Company (CLX) has reported 6.17 percent rise in profit for the quarter ended Mar. 31, 2017. The company has earned $172 million, or $1.31 a share in the quarter, compared with $162 million, or $1.23 a share for the same period last year.     

Revenue during the quarter grew 3.58 percent to $1,477 million from $1,426 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter contracted 129 basis points over the previous year period to 44.01 percent. Total expenses were 71.97 percent of quarterly revenues, up from 71.46 percent for the same period last year. That has resulted in a contraction of 51 basis points in operating margin to 28.03 percent.

"We delivered solid results on top of double-digit earnings growth in the year-ago quarter," said Clorox chairman and chief executive officer Benno Dorer. "I'm pleased with our continued strong volume and sales growth supported by innovation that’s providing meaningful value to consumers. I’m also encouraged by the progress we’re making in our International business as that team continues to take deliberate actions to rebuild long-term profitability behind its Go Lean strategy."

For fiscal year 2017, Clorox Company forecasts revenue to grow in the range of 3 percent to 4 percent.  The company expects diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $5.25 to $5.35.