Reckitt Benckiser reports ‘record year’ in 2006

Reckitt Benckiser has reported a record financial year in 2006, with net revenues growing by 18 per cent for the full year to 4,922 million pounds, with underlying business rising six per cent during the year.

Net income on an adjusted basis increased by 17 per cent to 786 million pounds in 2006, with diluted earnings per share rising 19 per cent to 1.07 pounds. The company attributed this increase in part to its share buyback programme.

Bart Becht, chief executive officer of the firm, said: “Reckitt Benckiser had a record year in 2006, driven by new products as Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White, Airwick Freshmatic and Finish Quantumn, and the successful and rapid integration of BHI [Boots Healthcare International] with synergies running ahead of targets.”

He added that the company had set a target of revenue growth of at least six per cent in the forthcoming year as a result of its strong momentum in the fourth quarter of 2006, with the target for net income growth being in low double figures.

Last month, Reckitt Benckiser announced that it would conduct a strategic review of the company’s options with regards to the Hermal prescription business it had acquired during the month as a constituent part of BHI.