Reckitt Benckiser describes Q3 results as excellent

Reckitt Benckiser has said its progress in the third quarter of this year displays “excellent momentum”.

Net revenue for the period totalled more than £1.66 billion, bringing the year-to-date figure to £4.73 billion. There was a like-for-like growth of ten per cent.

Adjust operating profit reached £380 million, while adjusted net income was £285 million. Year-to-date for this category now stands at £750 million.

Reckitt Benckiser also stated its net debt as £1.07 billion, reflecting the acquisition of Adams but partially offset by “strong” cash flow.

Chief executive officer Bart Becht cited “heavy” media investment and strong growth as reasons for performance throughout the quarter, as well as “the success of innovations such as Finish Quantum and Vanish Intelligence”.

Following the results, Reckitt Benckiser said it was raising its net revenue growth target for 2008 from 11-12 per cent to 13 per cent.

Brands included in the company’s portfolio range from home care and surface care to health and personal products.

These include gastro-intestinals, analgesics and depilatories such as Veet, which is reported to be the top depilatory brand in the world.

Other well-known products made and marketed by Reckitt Benckiser are Dettol, Nurofen and Gaviscon.