New products boost for Reckitt Benckiser profits

Cillit Bang cleaning sprays to Nurofen pain killers consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser today beat City expectations for first-half profits boosted by new products from Airwick and disinfectant Lysol.

Reckitt, which agreed a £2.54 billion takeover of Durex condoms to Scholl sandals maker SSL last week, said it was on track for a 5% rise in sales and 10% lift in profits for the year.

First-half, sales rose 6% to £2.06 billion with post-tax profits up by 23% at £380 million.

The half-year dividend is being hiked 16% to 50p.
Reckitt's shares fell 1%, down 28p at 3308p, with analysts worried about its weak performance in the European fabric conditioners market in particular.