Procter & Gamble tops profit estimates, announces NFL tie-in

Looking ahead, P&G forecast first-quarter earnings between 95 cents and $1 per share and sales dropping 7% to 10%. The high end of the firm's estimate matches the consensus estimate. As for the full fiscal year, P&G expects earnings of $3.65 to $3.80 per share, while the Street expects $3.76 per share.

P&G's CEO, Bob McDonald, stated that the company will "accelerate investments in innovation, portfolio expansion and consumer value to grow our core business and to serve more consumers in both developed and developing markets" in the coming year.

This wasn't the only news from PG, as it announced that it has reached an agreement with the National Football League (NFL) that will give PG exclusive rights to use NFL trademarks in marketing some of its products. As many as four of P&G's brands will become the "Official Locker Room Products of the NFL," including Old Spice, Gillette, Febreeze, and Head & Shoulders. While this is not P&G's first sports-sponsorship deal (it has an agreement with Major League Baseball), it could be its biggest, involving 13 brands in all. The announcement is set for this afternoon at the Cincinnati Bengals training camp.

As far as the stock's performance is concerned, the major question is if all of these announcements will help the shares break through overhead resistance in the $56 region. The equity has enjoyed a short-term run higher, but this region has stepped forward and is providing a ceiling. Furthermore, P&G's 50-week moving average rests in the $56 region and is providing resistance as well. The last time the stock finished a week atop this trendline was October 2008 -- so it will take some major momentum to topple this roadblock.

Perhaps the deal with the NFL could act as a catalyst for a move higher, but the revenue miss and low first-quarter sales forecast may not help push the shares higher.