Reckitt confident of hitting targets

UK household cleaning goods company Reckitt Benckiser today said it was on course to hit its targets for 2006 after sales were boosted by products such as Vanish and Cillit Bang.

Reckitt said revenues were up 18% to £1.16bn (€2.3bn) in the first three months of the year as it reiterated its forecast for full-year growth “in the mid teens”.

Operating profits were up by almost a quarter to £196m (€282m) once the cost of restructuring following the acquisition of Strepsils and Nurofen owner Boots Healthcare International was stripped out.

Including a restructuring charge, pre-tax profits were down from £167m (€240m) to £149m (€214m).