Reckitt Benckiser has performed ahead of expectations as its power brands such as Durex and Dettol registered growth of 5.2% in 2025.
Net revenues at the health & hygiene multinational nudged up 0.3% year on year to £14.2bn, with like-for-like growth of 5% following the completion of efforts to simplify the group.
Its sales in emerging markets shot up 14.6%, while North America recorded more modest growth of 0.2% and Europe declined 1.4% on the back of the challenging consumer environment and a weak cold & flu season.
Adjusted operating profits increased 2% during the year to £3.5bn as it reduced fixed costs.
The group returned £2.3bn to shareholders in 2025, with a £900m share buyback programme and a full-year dividend of 212.2p a share (up 5%).
Reckitt forecast like-for-like revenue growth for its core business of 4% to 5% in 2026, but warned the first quarter had been affected by the weaker cold & flu season.
CEO Kris Licht called 2025 “a strong year with performance ahead of our expectations”.
“Our strategy continues to deliver. We have more work to do but our geographic footprint, portfolio of power brands and focused organisational structure have strengthened our ability to deliver sustainable long-term growth. We look forward with confidence.”
Shares in the group opened down 2% as markets in London started trading this morning.
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