Mubasher: Procter & Gamble Co (P&G) on Friday reported a robust rise in sales for the first quarter of this year on the back of strong demand for its beauty products and cleaning supplies.

Net sales amounted to $16.69 billion in Q1-18, slightly up from $16.65 billion in the same quarter a year earlier, beating analysts’ expectations that overall sales would fall to $16.46 billion.

Moreover, net income attributable to the company grew to $3.20 billion, or $1.22 per share, in the three-month period ended September, from $2.85 billion, or $1.06 per share, in Q1-17, world’s largest consumer goods maker said.

At the level of the company's beauty business, sales rose 5% on the back of the double-digit sales of its premium skincare brands SK-II and Olay.

Sales in the company’s largest unit by sales, the fabric and home care division, increased 2% year-on-year in Q1-18.

Meanwhile, the company’s grooming business leveled up by 5% as price cuts boosted demand.

Excluding items, P&G earned $1.12 per share, smashing Wall Street expectations of $1.09 per share, according to I/B/E/S data from Refinitiv.