Harbinger of profit statements to come, tax burden

The Era of Obama: Clorox Co. Loses Net Income to Taxes?

By Warner Todd Huston
Wednesday, August 4, 2010

In a harbinger of profit statements to come, Clorox Co.—maker of numerous household cleaning products—reports that it’s net income was nearly flat despite a one percent rise in revenue.

The reason? Taxes.

Clorox Co. says its fourth-quarter net income was nearly flat, even though its revenue rose one percent, because it paid higher taxes and had smaller margins.

The laundry giant said that it earned $171 million in the last three months and had revenue of $1.52 billion last quarter. Clorox also reports that it expects to earn enough to keep in line with estimates.

So, sales have not been hurt by this recession for Clorox Co., at least. That is a good thing. But that its tax burden went up so much as to flatten its net income is unconscionable.

Businesses are in business to make money not forever break even. Breaking even is no incentive to push for higher achievement and invites sloth and eventual disinterest.

Without innovation and a return on the effort our economy will stagnate even further. As that happens tax receipts fall.

Obama is playing a dangerous game with our economy, folks. It’s one we are all bound to lose.

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