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/

Citibank note:
"Reckitt closed up 3% yesterday on speculation that Unilever or Procter are going to make a bid. The thesis is, without a strong CEO, Reckitt is now more vulnerable to a takeout. We think this is unlikely however given the lack of synergies for a potential acquirer and, speaking to clients yesterday, the feedback is that they definitely agree. We saw busy two way flow in the name yesterday but most of the buyers were really covering their short positions. It sounds like sellers on the other side are taking profits after a 20% run off the lows. We think Q2 numbers aren't going to be great & that you could see some profit taking short term. However, on a longer term view, we remain buyers of Reckitt. Whilst we don't believe in the takeout story, we think top line growth is underestimated - Claire is 3% ahead of consensus & this is one of the few names in Consumer Staples eps momentum this year => Short term profit taking in Reckitt, Long term this is a stock to own."

Vindication then! I didn't quite have the nerve to short RB though!

Out of ULVR +37. RB down again hmmmmm.

Just gone long @3450.

Just closed +42 - its not looking very nice out there!

Half Year Results 2011.

Half Year (HY) highlights:

* Total net revenue growth of +15% (constant exchange) to 4,621m. LFL growth
+5% (+4% ex-RBP).

* Gross margin -70bp to 59.3%: adjusted operating margin +20bp to 23.9%.

* SSL integration on track: cost synergies of 33m delivered in the half
year.

* Adjusted net income +10% (actual exchange, +12% constant): adjusted diluted
EPS of 109.0p (+10%).

* Net working capital of minus 932m, reflecting a further improvement versus
31 December 2010.

* Net debt of 2,195m (31 December 2010: 2,011m), with strong free cash flow
generation being more than offset by the payment of the final 2010
dividend, the acquisition of Paras Pharmaceuticals Limited and cash
restructuring payments.

* The Board declares a +10% increase in the interim dividend to 55.0p per
share.

Reckitt Benckiser: This will be the first set of trading figures that Reckitt Benckiser's new chief executive, Rakesh Kapoor, has unveiled, due Tuesday 25th Oct

He's fortunate to have inherited a strong business, behind brands such as Cillit Bang and Vanish, but the era of steady sales growth being guaranteed is over. In the first half, European sales fell by 1pc and investors will want to know how Reckitt is coping with an even more competitive environment.

The company is expected to reiterate its full-year target of a 12pc rise in net revenues and a 10pc increase in net income growth, thanks to steady growth in developing markets.

3rd Quarter Results.

Q3 highlights (at constant exchange unless stated):

- LFL growth (excluding SSL and Paras) +4% (+3% ex-RBP).

- SSL net revenue growth of 5% to 227m.

- Total net revenue growth of +15% to 2,448m.

- Adjusted net income +10% (actual exchange, +10% constant).

Year to date highlights (at constant exchange unless stated):

- LFL growth (excluding SSL and Paras) +4% (+3% ex-RBP).

- SSL net revenue growth of +2% on a comparable basis to 652m.

- Total net revenue growth of +15% to 7,069m.

- Adjusted net income +10% (actual exchange, +12% constant).

- Net working capital of minus 941m (YE 2010 914m). Net debt of
2,172m (YE 2010: 2,011m), with strong cash flow offset by two dividends,
acquisitions and restructuring.

Although Reckitt Benckiser lost its shine last week after cautioning of slower growth in the final quarter, the maker of Mr Sheen and Cillit Bang was yesterday wanted for its defensive attractions. With renewed takeover whispers also swilling round, Reckitt rose 57p to 32.55.

Next Wednesday, it's the turn of household products manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser to provide 2011 figures, so it will be interesting to see how that goes.

Forecasts are currently looking reasonably strong, with a full-year dividend of around 3.7% expected. Like Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser -- whose brands include Dettol, Finish, Scholl, Durex, Nurofen and Cillit Bang -- sells its wares in many countries around the globe, which should help compensate for tough conditions in the US, UK and Europe

Reckitt Benckiser to cut profit reports

The household consumer giant Reckitt Benckiser is set to ditch quarterly reporting of profits amid fears that the long-term growth of the company is under threat.

In a move which is likely to lead to downward pressure on the share price, Rakesh Kapoor, the new chief executive, is also expected to announce that the company is shifting its emphasis from America and Europe, where consumers have cut back drastically on their spending, towards emerging markets, especially China where very few of its brands are sold.

Full Year Results.

Solid top at £35 today. Worth keeping an eye on imho.

Splat - I've been short from 3505 for most of the day :-((

patience skinners :-)

12 month high (3688) hit on results.

Reckitt Benckiser was under the weather on Thursday morning after Credit Suisse downgraded its rating on the stock from 'outperform' to 'neutral' and cut its target price to 3,500p from 3,800p. "Reckitt's historical outperformance in the marketplace was driven by its almost unique ability to garner growth from the developed markets, and in particular Europe the broker said in a research note. "This hasn't been the case for two to three years now, and we don't see that changing any time soon. In part it is the market, but market share is also a contributory factor, and competition isn't about to ease off

RB trying £36 again (3 month high just gone)

New high 3858 hit earlier.

3rd Quarter results

Highlights:

* Year to date like-for-like (LFL) net revenue growth (ex RBP) of +4%, driven
by strong Emerging Markets Areas (EM) growth.

* Strong Q3 LFL growth +5% (+5% ex RBP).

* Europe North America (ENA) Q3 LFL growth +2%. This improved performance was
driven by higher brand equity investment (BEI), a good start for the new
Mucinex Fast Max and a stabilising promotional environment in laundry care
and Vanish.

* YTD global growth driven by Dettol/Lysol, Harpic, Finish, Gaviscon, Durex
and Vanish.

* RBP - volume (mg) market share of Film grown to 60% up from 48% at the end
of 2011.

Consumer brand giant Reckitt Benckiser Group is reaching new high ground, after its shares finished Friday on a new 52-week high of 3,783p. That's 23% up on the price's low point of 3,100p set in November 2011, making 2012 a pretty nice year for shareholders.

Firms making consumer staples, like Reckitt Benckiser and Unilever are often considered good "safety" shares during hard times as they tend to be fairly reliable payers of dividends. Reckitt Benckiser kept its dividend growing during the downturn, and Unilever had only one down year in 2009. The share prices of both are doing well this year.