Reckitt Benckiser, household products manufacturer, reported stronger than expected results with a 15% increase in operating profit for its third quarter to £197m and an increase in net income of 23% to £151m.

The company stated that the major initiatives that contributed to these results included Vanish Oxi Action fabric treatment, Airwick Aroma Oils and Mobil’Air in air care and the Lysol/ Harpic Ready Brush lavatory cleaner.

“Due to the stronger than expected results for the third quarter, against a tough comparative last year, Reckitt Benckiser is raising its full year targets to net revenue growth of around 9% from 7% and net income growth of around 22% from 18%, both at constant exchange,” said chief executive officer Bart Becht.

One of its strongest growth categories was for health and personal care, where net revenues rose 13% to £449m. Successful products in this category were Veet Rasera, Dettol antiseptics, Gaviscon and Lemsip.

Since the announcement of its results yesterday the company has been listed today as one of the Financial Times’ main movers on the FTSE 350 with a 5.3% increase, up 75p to 1478p.