The Veet hair removal system for hairy gorillas is flying off the shelf.

This surely has to be a buy? DYOR

http://www.reckittbenckiser.com/

its trading in the zone

Reckitt Benckiser 4Q Sales +8%, Sets Growth Targets For 2009





By Michael Carolan
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Reckitt Benckiser PLC's (RB.LN) posted another strong set of results for its fourth quarter Wednesday and unlike rival Unilever PLC (UN UL), forecast another year of robust growth in 2009.

The household cleaning and personal care products maker said net profit in the three months to Dec. 31 was GBP393 million, up from GBP289 million a year earlier. Sales were GBP1.83 billion, up 33%. Stripping out the effect of acquisitions and currency movements, fourth-quarter sales were up 8%, lower than the 10% rise seen in the previous quarter but ahead of expectations.

Underlying operating margin increased 40 basis points in the latest quarter to 28.8%

The maker of a products such as Lysol, Clearasil, Cillit Bang and Senokot also set growth targets for 2009. Stripping out currency fluctuations, it is targeting sales growth of 4% and a rise in post-tax profit before exceptional items of between 8% and 10%. The comparable figures for 2008 are growth of 13% and 12%, respectively.

While the company is forecasting a slowdown in its growth rates, it is at least providing forecasts. Anglo-Dutch rival Unilever PLC (UN UL) last week scrapped its sales and margin targets and refused to provide any outlook for 2009 in the face of the economic uncertainty.

Reckitt has a habit in recent years of setting sales growth targets at the start of the year only to beat them once the year is complete. Last year's underlying sales growth of 10% compares with an original target of 6%-to-7%.

"Reckitt Benckiser had an excellent year in 2008 despite challenging conditions," said Chief Executive Bart Becht in a statement. He said all regions and all major brands contributed to the growth, "supported by significant media investment and successful innovations."

Reckitt's steady performance over 2008 has meant that, unlike rival consumer goods groups, its share price is actually slightly higher than a year ago, despite the economic downturn. The shares closed Tuesday at 2,622 pence, down 3% on the day but 0.6% above the year-ago level.

Company Web site: www.reckittbenckiser.com

-By Michael Carolan, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9278; michael.carolan@dowjones.com

28 has proved resistance in the past.

I wonder if now this will bounce at this support area or continue on down to bounce off the lower line of the channel at about 22.75p? Then again, it could drop straight through......

Ive got fibbo levels just above 2400 but having seen 2097 in Oct I wouldnt bet on a bounce either! ulvr is down around its oct levels already,and why am I getting depressed looking at the 10 year chart above !!

UPDATE: Reckitt Benckiser Upgrades Fiscal Year Targets After Strong 2Q





(Adds comment from the CEO and an analyst.)

By Michael Carolan
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Reckitt Benckiser PLC (RB.LN) continued to shrug off the effects of the global downturn Wednesday, beating expectations with its second-quarter results and raising both its sales and profit targets for the full year.

The household cleaning and personal care products maker said its net profit in the three months to June 30 rose 29.2% to GBP310 million from GBP240 million last year and ahead of expectations of about GBP303 million.

Sales were GBP1.87 billion, up 20%. Stripping out the effect of currency movements, second-quarter sales were up 8%, ahead of expectations of 5.5% and in line with the previous three months.

"As a result of this strong start to the year, we are raising our full-year 2009 targets," said Chief Executive Bart Becht said in a statement.

The company is now targeting net revenue growth of 5% to 6% - up from previous guidance of 4% growth - and net income growth of 10% to 11% - up from a previous forecast of 8% to 10%.

The raising of its targets is partly a result of strong margin growth. The company managed to grow its gross margin 70 basis points to 59.6% and its operating margin by 130 basis points to 22.1%, through price increases, the easing of input costs and cost savings.

Sanford Bernstein analyst Andrew Wood said the raising of Reckitt Benckiser's full-year guidance was no surprise. "The revenue target in particular was always too prudent in our view," he said.

The maker of a products such as Lysol, Clearasil, Cillit Bang and Senokot historically uses its quarterly updates to raise its full-year targets. Last year's underlying sales growth of 10% compares with an original target of 6%-to-7%.

The higher full-year growth rates were therefore largely priced in to the Reckitt Benckiser share price and by 0806 GMT the stock was down 8 pence, or 0.3%, at 2853 pence in a higher London market.

Reckitt has consistently outperformed its rivals for years, due to its focus on a limited number of leading brands, its lean operations and its industry-leading innovation programs - which attract customers to its brands even when money is tight.

CEO Becht said on a media conference call that the recession was having an impact on the company, though it operates in some resilient categories. He said the market growth for its products was about 3% this year, down from historic levels of between 4% and 5%.

While this growth in the market is largely driven by emerging markets rather than developed markets, Becht said the company was gaining share in both.

The company's 8% rise in sales was driven in large part by the stellar growth of its heroin-dependency treatment Suboxone. Stripping out the benefit of Suboxane, Reckitt's sales growth rate drops to just 5%.

Suboxone's exclusivity in the U.S. expires on Oct. 8, leaving it exposed to potential generic competition.

Up to 80% of the revenues and profits of the company's pharmaceuticals division might therefore be lost to generic competition in 2010, with the possibility of further erosion thereafter, said Becht.

Bernstein analyst Andrew Wood said there was little management can do about the Suboxane situation. "Still, we find management's current targets to be reasonable and achievable."


Reckitt Benckiser Not Launching Its Own Generic Suboxone





LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Reckitt Benckiser PLC (RB.LN) has no plans to launch its own generic Suboxone product when its exclusive rights to the heroin-dependance treatment expire in October, the group's chief executive said Wednesday.

The household cleaning and personal care products maker has exclusivity for Suboxone in the U.S. until the end of September and in Europe until 2016.

Analysts have speculated that Reckitt could be planning to launch its own generic product in the U.S. to offset the impact of the loss.

"I normally wouldn't comment on this but no we're not," said CEO Bart Becht on a conference call with reporters.

He said the company was looking for other ways to offset the loss of exclusivity in the U.S. Up to 80% of the revenues and profits of the company's pharmaceuticals division might be lost to generic competition in 2010, with the possibility of further erosion thereafter, he said.

He added that the pharmaceutical business was a relatively small part of the business.

Suboxone posted net revenue of GBP219 million in the six months to June 30 and adjusted operating profit of GBP132 million.

Suboxone is a prescription drug used to treat heroin dependence.

New high.

Reckitt Benckiser revenue up 7% in Q3
Business Financial Newswire
Household and personal goods group Reckitt Benckiser raised its targets for the full year after revealing third-quarter revenue growth of 7% at constant exchange, driven by growth in the group's 17 Powerbrands.

Turnover was 1.91bn for the quarter and 5.69bn for the year to date.

The group reported a quarterly operating profit of 467m, up 10% at constant currency, and year-to-date profit of 1.29bn, up 12%.

Adjusted Q3 EPS was 49.6p, up 26%, and 134.4p for the first nine months, up 30%.

Adjusted operating margin rose by 130bp to 22.6%.

Net debt fell to 423m from the 31 December figure of 1,096m as a result of strong free cash flow generation, partially offset by the payment of two dividends totalling 648m.

Chief executive Bart Bech said Reckitt Benckiser continued to see good momentum. 'This result was supported by our 17 Powerbrands, behind significant investment in media and marketing and successful new product initiatives.'

The group was raising its full-year target for net revenue growth to 6-7% at constant exchange, previously 5-6%. Its adjusted net income growth target was being to 12-13% at constant exchange (previously 10-11%).

New high.

Final Results.

FY highlights:

Total net revenue +8% (constant exchange), driven by growth in the Group's 17
Powerbrands. Excluding Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals ("RBP"), net revenue
was ahead +6% (at constant).

Gross margin +90bp to 60.2%: adjusted operating margin +100bp to 24.4%.

Adjusted net income +24% (actual exchange): adjusted diluted EPS of 194.7p
(+23%).

Net cash of 220m (2008: net debt of 1,096m), as a result of ongoing strong
free cash flow generation.

Net working capital of minus 1,257m, a 160m improvement versus the 31
December 2008 level.

The Board recommends a +19% increase in the final dividend to 57.0p per share,
bringing the total dividend for 2009 to 100.0p (+25% versus 2008).

Q4 highlights:

Total net revenue growth of +10% (constant exchange), +6% ex-RBP.

Gross margin +100bp to 62.3%: adjusted operating margin +50bp to 29.3%.

Adjusted net income +14% (actual exchange): adjusted diluted EPS of 60.3p
(+10%).

Dividends. The Board of Directors recommends a final dividend of 57.0 pence
(2008: 48.0 pence), an increase of +19%, to give a full year dividend of 100.0
pence (2008: 80.0 pence), an overall increase of +25%. The dividend, if
approved by shareholders at the AGM on 6 May 2010, will be paid on 27 May to
shareholders on the register at the record date of 26 February. The ex-dividend
date is 24 February and the last date for election for the share alternative to
the dividend is 6 May. The final dividend will be accrued once approved by
shareholders.

New high again today!

OFT ISSUES STATEMENT OF OBJECTIONS FOR ALLEGED ABUSE OF A DOMINANT POSITION BY RECKITT BENCKISER

The OFT has today issued a Statement of Objections alleging that Reckitt Benckiser abused its dominant position in the market for the NHS supply of alginate and antacid heartburn medicines.

The OFT alleges that Reckitt Benckiser sought to restrict competition to its Gaviscon brand by withdrawing and de-listing its NHS packs of Gaviscon Original Liquid from the NHS prescription channel.

10 years v the FTSE.

These have been off my list for a while - nearly 10% fall this week.

RB buy Durex.

Summary of the Offer

The boards of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc ("Reckitt Benckiser") and SSL International plc ("SSL") are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to be made by Reckitt Benckiser plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reckitt Benckiser, to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of SSL (the "Offer").

SSL is a focused consumer products company with leading global brands such as Durex and Scholl, as well as a portfolio of local brands.

Reckitt Benckiser is a world leader in household and health & personal care. The acquisition of SSL provides Reckitt Benckiser with an attractive opportunity to increase its presence in the health & personal care sector.

Under the terms of the Offer, SSL Shareholders will be entitled to receive 1163 pence in cash per SSL Share (the "Offer Price") and will also remain entitled to receive the proposed final dividend of 8 pence per share in respect of the year ended 31 March 2010 (the "SSL Dividend"), representing, in aggregate, 1171 pence per SSL Share.

The Offer Price plus the SSL Dividend values SSL's fully diluted share capital at approximately 2,540 million.

The Offer provides SSL Shareholders with a compelling opportunity to realise full value up front for their investment in SSL in cash.

The Offer Price plus the SSL Dividend represents:

o a premium of approximately 32.8 per cent. to the closing price of 882 pence per SSL Share on 20 July 2010, being the last business day prior to the Announcement Date;

o a premium of approximately 39.3 per cent. to the average closing price of approximately 840.7 pence per SSL Share for the one month period to 20 July 2010; and

o a premium of approximately 44.7 per cent. to the average closing price of approximately 809.3 pence per SSL Share for the six month period to 20 July 2010.

Reckitt Benckiser: Chief Financial Officer Colin Day To Leave
Reckitt Benckiser (LSE:RB.)
Intraday Stock Chart
Today : Friday 22 October 2010
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (RB.LN), said Friday that Colin Day, chief financial officer and executive member of the board will leave the company.

MAIN FACTS:

-His successor will be announced in the next few months.

-To ensure a smooth transition and an effective handover Colin Day will remain with the business until end of March 2011.

Just gone long @3154.

Just closed these @3387 +233.

Nice skinny!

Took my eye off the ball here - showing some recent strength - no doubt a bid rumour will surface!