Reckitt Benckiser, the Anglo-Dutch household products group, said on April 28 that net profits surged 48 percent in the first three months of the year, helped by strong sales of cleaning goods. Net earnings jumped to 303 million pounds (340 million euros, 442 million dollars) in the three months to the end of March, compared with the same period of 2008, Reckitt said in a results statement.
The company added that total revenues swelled 27 percent to 1.911 billion pounds, aided by sales of products including Vanish stain remover and Dettol surface cleaner. "Reckitt Benckiser had a strong quarter. This growth came across all areas," chief executive Bart Becht said in the release.
"While we are encouraged by this positive start to the year, the market backdrop clearly remains challenging."
Reckitt, which also makes Nurofen headache treatments, added that it was targeting sales growth of four percent in the current financial year. The share price of Reckitt showed a gain of 1.61 percent to 2,720 pence in afternoon London trade after publication of the results. London's FTSE 100 index, on which the group is traded, dipped 2.13 percent to 4,078.15 points.