CHICAGO - ENERGIZER Holdings Inc posted a steep decline in quarterly profit, weighed down by charges related to job cuts and sluggish sales of its namesake batteries.

The maker of Energizer batteries, Schick razors and Playtex tampons said it could post low double-digit growth in earnings excluding unusual items in fiscal 2010, as it steps up advertising and promotional spending behind its brands.

Energizer earned US$37.1 million (S$52 million), or 53 cents per share, in the fiscal fourth quarter that ended Sept 30, down from US$99.1 million, or US$1.67 per share, a year earlier.

Sales fell 3.9 per cent to US$1.08 billion. The household products segment, which includes batteries, saw sales plunge 14 per cent.

A year earlier, battery sales were boosted by a busy hurricane season and sales leading into the holiday season. -- REUTERS