Procter & Gamble Profit Off 27% in Third Quarter

Procter & Gamble said its worldwide sales for the first nine months of the 1984-85 fiscal year ended March 31 were $10.21 billion, an increase of 5% over sales of $9.69 billion for the same period a year ago.

Earnings in the nine months amounted to $520 million, a decrease of 26% from $707 million for the year-ago period.

For the January through March third quarter, P&G;’s worldwide sales were $3.35 billion, an increase of 2% over the $3.28 billion for the same three months a year ago. The increase in unit volume was somewhat greater than the increase in dollar sales. Earnings, however, were 27% lower, amounting to $160 million, compared to $220 million for the same three months a year ago.

The firm, which has fought nationwide rumors of a link between its moon-and-stars trademark and Satanism in recent years, announced that it is removing the logo from its products. P&G; said it will gradually eliminate the 103-year-old trademark as packages are redesigned.