New York, January 31, 2026, 11:23 (EST) — Market closed
- Procter & Gamble shares gained 1.25% on Friday, closing at $151.77, even as the broader market slipped lower.
- Investors weighed inflation signals and uncertainty over U.S. rates as consumer staples outperformed among S&P 500 sectors.
- Attention now turns to next week’s U.S. jobs report and whether demand for household staples continues to stay strong.
Procter & Gamble (PG.N) shares ended Friday up 1.25%, closing at $151.77, a $1.87 increase. Trading volume hit roughly 12.7 million shares. Over the last 52 weeks, the stock’s range has been between $137.62 and $179.99. (Nasdaq)
The move came amid a drop in U.S. stocks, with the S&P 500 sliding 0.43% as investors weighed rate uncertainties, earnings chatter, and inflation concerns. Consumer staples led the S&P sectors, gaining 1.4%. Edward Jones strategist Angelo Kourkafas highlighted “investor concerns around the Fed chair announcement … and lingering inflation pressure.” (Reuters)
Peers delivered solid results, which lent support. Colgate-Palmolive posted higher quarterly sales but warned of a notably broad outlook range, reflecting lingering consumer uncertainty that’s clouding staples demand despite pricing carrying much of the load. (The Wall Street Journal)
After hours on Friday, P&G shares slipped 0.14% to $151.55, MarketWatch reports. (MarketWatch)
P&G is still processing last week’s earnings and outlook. The company reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales up 1% to $22.2 billion, with organic sales — excluding currency effects and acquisitions/divestitures — holding steady. Core earnings, a company-defined figure that omits certain items, came in at $1.88 per share. CEO Shailesh Jejurikar said the results “keep us on track to deliver within our fiscal year guidance ranges.” The firm maintained its full-year outlook for organic sales and core EPS, and flagged tariff-related costs at roughly $400 million after tax. (SEC)
Reuters reported that P&G’s revenue fell slightly short of Wall Street expectations, hurt by weaker U.S. demand and disruptions linked to a government shutdown affecting key segments. Finance chief Andre Schulten told analysts, “We need to get the U.S. growing.” Meanwhile, Aptus Capital Advisors portfolio manager David Wagner noted that “the market can look past the organic sales miss.” (Reuters)
Macro data kept the squeeze on rate-sensitive sectors, even as defensive stocks held steady. The U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI), which tracks prices paid by producers, jumped 0.5% in December — the largest rise since July. Economists pointed to tariffs increasingly feeding into costs. JPMorgan’s Michael Hanson said the report “suggests businesses have been able to pass along some of the costs from tariffs.” Reuters also flagged that the Fed’s favored inflation measure, the PCE price index, is set for release on Feb. 20. (Reuters)
That said, the defensive push isn’t without its risks. P&G’s volume remains a weak spot, and raising prices again to cover tariffs and other expenses could drive more consumers to choose smaller sizes or switch to cheaper brands, particularly in the U.S.
Monday’s open will reveal if last Friday’s boost in staples was just a brief safe haven or marks a lasting trend. Investors will keep an eye on any shifts in the rate story, as changes there can swiftly redirect funds away from defensive sectors.
The upcoming U.S. employment report for January, set for release on Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, stands as the next major catalyst. Its data could shift rate expectations and impact demand for stable, dividend-focused stocks such as P&G. (Bls)
