Energizer Holdings Inc., the Town and Country-based seller of batteries, razors and tampons, reported a tough fourth quarter capping a difficult 2009.

Net earnings for the fourth quarter ending Sept. 30 fell 63 percent to $37.1 million or $0.53 per share, from $99.1 million or $1.67 per diluted share in the same period of 2008. Sales fell $44 million or 4 percent to $1.08 billion.

The company said it implemented restructuring efforts and focused on reducing debt in the fourth quarter so that it could enter fiscal 2010 with "sufficient momentum to properly support our brands and innovation pipeline."

"Fiscal 2009 was a challenging year in which we took significant actions to fortify our businesses," said Ward Klein, CEO of the company. "We will continue to invest in both advertising and promotion and innovation so that we can meet our mid to long-term growth objectives."

Energizer said it anticipated improvement in sales trends as the economy slowly recovers. That should allow the company to increase its profits by double-digit percentages in 2010."

After a year of aggressively containing costs, Energizer said it believes the "long term health of the business" requires a return to higher investment on advertising.