Reckitt Benckiser’s new chief executive promised to step up spending on its brands and improve performance after the British household goods maker cut its full-year sales forecast for a second time.

After a cyber attack and a botched product launch spoiled Reckitt Benckiser’s 2017, a pricing squeeze threatens to make this year almost as tough.

Consumer goods group Reckitt Benckiser has reported a strong start to 2013 after a heavy flu and colds season boosted demand for Strepsils and Nurofen.

The London market made nervous gains today as traders waited for the details of a eurozone rescue plan set to be hammered out a crunch meeting of politicians.

UK household goods firm Reckitt Benckiser is expanding its healthcare operations in North America after today agreeing a £1.1bn (€1.5bn) takeover of a US cough mixture firm.