Rentokil boosted by pest-control work

Rentokil Initial posted a profit today after a strong performance in its rat-catching division offset ongoing difficulties at its City Link delivery arm.

The firm, which is based at Gatwick in the UK, said its pest control business delivered strong profit growth in the three months to September 30, particularly in the UK and US.

City Link reported an operating loss of £1.3m (€1.5m) for the quarter, which was flat year-on-year, due to an “extremely competitive market” and price-cutting across the industry.

But parent company Rentokil Initial, which employs 68,000 people worldwide, posted a 16% rise in adjusted pre-tax profits to £57.3m (€65m), beating market expectations.