Newell Rubbermaid, which includes the Sharpie and Paper Mate brands has announced fourth quarter 2011 results with core and net sales growth of 3.7 percent.

"Newell Rubbermaid's fourth quarter results were solid in a continuing tough environment," said President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Polk. "Our fourth quarter core sales growth of 3.7 percent was the strongest quarter of the year. Our EPS delivery was very good and full year operating cash flow was at the high end of our guidance range."
 

"In 2012, we expect to sustain our momentum delivering sequentially improved core sales growth versus our full year 2011 results, despite the weak developed world macroeconomic environment. We will continue to invest in our company's future by further strengthening our brand building and selling capabilities as we build Newell Rubbermaid into a bigger, faster growing, more profitable, more global company.

In this context, we now expect to increase our full year core sales growth rate from 1.8 percent in 2011 to between 2 and 3 percent in 2012; increase normalized operating margin by up to 20 basis points."