Reckitt Benckiser reports “strong” Q1

Reckitt Benckiser has generated positive results for the first quarter (Q1) of 2008, it has announced.

Chief executive Bart Becht said the strong quarter was partly the result of higher investments in its “power brands” and new lines that had proved successful.

He said these included products such as Airwick Freshmatic Mini and Finish Max in 1.

He added that the company intends to raise its like-for-like full year target for net revenue growth by about one per cent, from six to seven per cent to seven to eight per cent.

Net income expectations will also rise by one per cent to ten per cent and this made the consolidated targets to between 11 and 12 per cent.

Net revenues for the first quarter increased by 20 per cent to £1.51 billion.

Adams, which the company acquired at the end of January, contributed £33 million of revenues in its first two months of ownership.

Reckitt Benckiser was founded in 1814 in Norwich, UK.