Reckitt Benckiser posted an 11 per cent rise in second-quarter profit today and said it was on track to meet annual sales and profit targets.
The British firm, which makes household, health and personal care products, posted adjusted net profit for April to June of £240 million, at the top of a forecast range from £229 million to £240 million and an average of £235 million.
The company's chief executive, Bart Becht, said the group had a very good first-half with net revenue growth of 11 per cent, with growth driven by it key brands and new innovations.
"For the full year, we are on track to achieve at least our previously communicated net revenue growth target of 11-12 per cent (including Adams) at constant exchange. We are also fully on track to achieve our full year net income growth target of 22 per cent at constant exchange," he said in a statement.
The group's Q2 operating margin grew 40 percentage points to 20.8 per cent, giving a first-half margin of 20.5 per cent.
The half-year dividend rose 28 per cent to 32 pence a share.
Reckitt shares have outperformed the FTSE 100 index by around 5 per cent so far this year, and closed on Friday at £25.36.
Reuters