Reckitt Benckiser hails strong first quarter of 2013

Reckitt Benckiser has published its financial results for the first three months of 2013, during which it generated a net revenue total of 2.52 billion pounds.

This sum represented a year-on-year increase of seven percent, thanks in large part to the encouraging performance of its health and hygiene division, as well as the continuing growth of the firm's emerging market operations.

Major brands that experienced increased demand include Mucinex, Strepsils, Nurofen, Durex, Dettol and Finish, while the company also benefited from the good progress being made with the integration of Schiff since its acquisition last year.

Rakesh Kapoor, chief executive officer at Reckitt Benckiser, said: "We expect continued challenging market conditions, but nonetheless we remain confident that we can achieve our full year targets of five to six percent total net revenue growth while maintaining operating margins."

In 2012, the company's revenue total came to 9.57 billion pounds, which was in line with its previously-stated targets for the year.