Colgate-Palmolive (CL) reported revenue growth for the first quarter, with its international operations making up for weakness in the North American market. This comes amid subdued consumer sentiment in the United States and a decline in North American business revenue.

The company, which produces consumer goods such as toothpaste, deodorant, and soap, posted net income of $646 million, or $0.80 per share, for the period. This compares with net income of $690 million, or $0.85 per share, in the same quarter last year.

Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.97, surpassing the FactSet consensus estimate of $0.94.

Net sales increased by 8.4% year-over-year to $5.32 billion. Growth across all international business segments offset a 1.8% decline in North American sales. Wall Street had anticipated revenue of $5.22 billion.

Colgate-Palmolive reaffirmed its full-year sales growth guidance of 2% to 6%. However, the company revised its gross margin outlook downward, having previously expected an improvement for the full year.

Sales pressure on U.S. consumer goods companies in their domestic market is primarily due to weak consumer confidence, leading individuals to postpone or forgo certain non-essential purchases. Data released on April 10th by the University of Michigan showed consumer sentiment had fallen to its lowest level in over 70 years of the survey's history.