(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts) 2008* 2007† Change
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Unit Volume, Excluding Divested Businesses     +4.0%
Worldwide Sales $15,329.9 $13,789.7 +11.0%
Gross Profit Margin 56.3% 56.2% +10 basis points
Operating Profit $3,020.7 $2,653.1 +14%
Operating Profit Margin 19.7% 19.2% +50 basis points
Net Income $1,957.2 $1,737.4 +13%
Net Income Percent to Sales 12.8% 12.6% +20 basis points
Diluted Earnings Per Share $3.66 $3.20 +14%
Dividends Paid Per Share $1.56 $1.40 +11%
Operating Cash Flow $2,238.3 $2,203.7 +2%
Number of Registered Common Shareholders 31,400 32,200 -2%
Number of Common Shares Outstanding (in millions) 501 509 -2%
Year-end Stock Price $68.54 $77.96 -12%
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Highlights

  • Worldwide sales rose 11.0% to an all-time record level.
  • Every operating division contributed to the strong 4.0% unit volume growth.
  • Operating profit, net income and diluted earnings per share all increased at a double-digit rate
    for the year.
  • Global advertising grew 7% to an all-time record level of $1,649.5 million, on top of double-digit growth in the prior year.
  • Operating cash flow reached an all-time record level of $2,238.3 million.
  • The quarterly dividend rate increased by 11% in 2008.
* Net income and diluted earnings per share in 2008 include an aftertax charge of $112.4 million ($0.21 per share) related to the 2004 Restructuring Program.
† Net income and diluted earnings per share in 2007 include an aftertax charge of $183.7 million ($0.34 per share) related to the 2004 Restructuring Program and the net aftertax impact of certain Other Items that increased net income by $85.4 million ($0.16 per share).
  A complete reconciliation between reported results and results excluding the 2004 Restructuring Program and Other Items, including a description of such Other Items, is available on Colgate's web site and in the Non-GAAP Reconciliation section of this report.
Colgate® Max Fresh® Toothpaste
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