Reckitt Benckiser meets expectations in Q1 2012

Reckitt Benckiser has announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2012, during which it met its targets with a three-month revenue total of 2.36 billion pounds.

The figure was up by four percent year on year on a like-for-like basis, which was well ahead of industry growth levels, with particularly strong performance seen in emerging markets.

Growth was driven by key brands such as Dettol, Harpic, Finish and Durex, while its pharmaceuticals business also showed encouraging signs of progress, with the Suboxone sublingual film product now at 53 percent market share.

Reckitt Benckiser expects to meet its financial targets for 2012, while maintaining full-year operating margins.

Rakesh Kapoor, chief executive officer of Reckitt Benckiser, said: "Reckitt Benckiser's first-quarter results were on track and in line with our ingoing expectations."

In February 2012, the company agreed to sell the personal care brands of Paras Pharmaceuticals to India's Marico Limited, a deal which will be concluded during the second quarter.