Reckitt Benckiser sees full year sales growth at top end of range

29th Jul 2013 07:34

Consumer products giant Reckitt Benckiser said full-year revenue growth would be at the upper end of expectations after a strong first half.The maker of Cillit Bang and Nurofen painkillers reported revenues rose to £5.0bn in the six months to the end of June from £4.7bn in the same period last year after a strong performance in emerging markets and after its focus on health and hygiene power brands paid off. It said Dettol and Lysol were performing strongly and Durex had delivered an excellence performance. Chief executive Rakesh Kapoor said the company was confident it would achieve full-year total revenue growth at the upper end of its 5.0% to 6.0% range.The company lifted its half year dividend by 7.0% to 60p a share.But half year pre-tax profits fell to £898m from £1.1bn after being hit by one off costs. Reckitt Benckiser is involved in a number of regulatory investigations by government authorities in Europe and North America.The company said: "These investigations involve mainly competition law inquiries most of which include several other companies. The directors have made a provision of £225m in respect of these matters."TB