Swine flu fears help Reckitt Benckiser raise annual targets

Oct 28 2009 by Graeme Brown, Birmingham Post

Household goods giant Reckitt Benckiser has raised its annual targets for the second time this year.

The Nurofen-to-Cillit Bang group saw third-quarter sales lift by seven per cent with currency effects stripped out and said it now expects full-year revenues to lift by six to seven per cent, up from hopes of a five to six per cent rise.

Earnings leapt ten per cent - 23 per cent with currency benefits included - to £467 million in the three months to the end of September. Its Dettol range saw “excellent” sales growth as swine flu fears have seen rising demand for anti-bacterial and virus products.

Reckitt has reportedly spent £1.5 million promoting the preventative benefits of Dettol against the cold and flu virus but the third-quarter results were also driven up by good performances across 17 key brands, according to the firm.