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/

Dividends. The Board of Directors recommends a final dividend of 79 pence (2013: 77 pence), to give a full year dividend of 139 pence (2013: 137 pence), an overall increase of +1%. The dividend, if approved by shareholders at the AGM on 7 May 2015, will be paid on 29 May to shareholders on the register at the record date of 17 April. The ex-dividend date is 16 April and the last date for election for the share alternative to the dividend is 7 May. The final dividend will be accrued once approved by shareholders.

Capital returns policy. RB has consistently communicated its intention to use its strong cash flow for the benefit of shareholders. Our priority remains to reinvest our financial resources back into the business, including through value-adding acquisitions. Through continued strong cash generation the Group has reached a net debt level of approximately GBP1.5bn. It is not possible to be definitive on future needs, but we consider that this provides the Group with appropriate liquidity.

We intend to continue our current policy of paying an ordinary dividend equivalent to around 50% of adjusted net income. In addition, we plan to supplement the current share buyback policy which broadly neutralizes incentive plan share issuance (c. GBP300m p.a.) with an additional up to GBP500m share buyback programme in 2015.

Full year results http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5212976

StockMarketWire.com
Investec has removed Reckitt Benckiser (LON:RB.) from its list of stocks to avoid and moved to a more moderate hold rating (from sell) after revising up its mid-term sales growth outlook from 4 per cent to 5 cent, on the back of the company's latest results.

The broker added: "A transformational consumer health deal (at the right price) could add a compelling leg to the investment case, although scarcity of available assets seemingly remains an obstacle."

Analysts have also raised their target to 6,600 pence a share (from 5,210 pence), implying a forecast total return of 5.8 per cent.

Don't you just love these analysts!

Half year report: http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5597368

Reckitt Benckiser endured a "soft" third quarter amid a continued challenging market and has downgraded its full year guidance. With like-for-like net revenue down -1% in the year to date, the base RB business is now expected to be flat for the full year, while guidance for newly acquired Mead Johnson was kept at '-2% to flat'.

Q1 2018 Trading Update

Highlights: Q1 (at constant rates)

· Proforma growth of +3% (+2% LFL). Proforma and LFL growth were both volume-led (+3%).

· RB 2.0: good progress in both business units.

· Health performance +3% proforma (+1% LFL) against a backdrop of strong trends in IFCN growth and seasonal tailwinds in the US. Strong performances in Gaviscon, Mucinex, Strepsils and VMS brands but significant underperformance in Scholl. Middle East macro issues impacting Dettol.

· Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN) performance continues to progress well with proforma growth +6% for Q1. Strong market growth in Greater China, and sell in of Enfamil Neuro Pro innovation in the US reinforces the strong fundamentals of this category.

· Hygiene Home had a strong start to the year at +4% LFL driven by a combination of improved in-market execution, seasonal benefit to Lysol in the US and sell in of our new innovations in Finish and Air Wick.

· On track for our full year net revenue target of +13-14% (total constant), implying +2%-3% LFL*.

more.....

Q3 2018: Trading Update

Highlights

· LFL growth in Q3 of +2%. Continued momentum under RB 2.0, with growth in base Health and Hygiene Home businesses of +4% LFL. Total growth was negatively impacted by -2% (£70m) from a temporary manufacturing disruption at our European IFCN plant.

· LFL performance in Total Health was flat, comprising IFCN of -6% and Rest of Health of +4% driven by continued strong growth in OTC and improving trends in Wellness and Health Hygiene brands.

· LFL growth in Hygiene Home of +4%. Continued momentum with strong performances from Finish, Air Wick and Lysol in ENA and Harpic in DvM.

· We remain on track for the full year net revenue target of +14-15% (total constant), implying LFL revenue growth at the upper end of +2-3%.

more.....

Liberum Capital Buy 6271.00 7600.00 Reiterates

Reckitt Benckiser Group announced on Wednesday that Rakesh Kapoor had indicated his intention to retire as chief executive officer by the end of 2019. The FTSE 100 company said he would have served more than eight years as CEO, and 32 years at the firm, by the time he steps down. Its board confirmed it had initiated a formal process to appoint his successor, considering both internal and external candidates.