Financial Performance - Group net revenue grew 1.4%, in line with guidance of 1% to 3% growth, with Health and Hygiene growing like-for-like net revenue by 4.6% and volume by 2.1% excluding seasonal OTC [7][16] - Adjusted operating profit increased 8.6%, leading to strong EPS growth of 7.9% supported by share buyback and lower tax rate [8][9] - Free cash flow was £2.2 billion, enabling £2.7 billion returned to shareholders, up 75% year-on-year [18][43] Business Line Performance - Hygiene delivered 4.2% like-for-like growth for the year, with strong performance across powerbrands and regions [20][21] - Health achieved 2.1% like-for-like growth, driven by nonseasonal powerbrands and strong growth in China, despite a weak cold and flu season [24][25] - Nutrition saw a decline of 7.3% in like-for-like net revenue due to supply disruption from a tornado, but market share is expected to improve as supply normalizes [29][30] Market Performance - Strong growth in Europe and developing markets, particularly in China where net revenues grew double-digit [8][28] - 55% of top CMUs held or gained market share, up from 47% a year ago, indicating positive market share momentum [21][25] - North American performance was negatively impacted by seasonal OTC, but overall market share gains were noted [8][28] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focused on a sharpened Core Reckitt business, with intentions to exit Essential Home and Mead Johnson Nutrition by 2025 [10][44] - Investment in innovation and R&D is prioritized, with total CapEx of £500 million to support future growth [6][30] - The Fuel for Growth program aims for a 300 basis point reduction in fixed costs by 2027, enhancing operational efficiency [33][35] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the portfolio but acknowledged uncertainties in the macro environment affecting consumer confidence [94][139] - The guidance for 2025 is set at 3% to 4% like-for-like net revenue growth, reflecting current operating conditions [46][139] - The company expects to continue delivering EPS growth and operating margin expansion, despite potential challenges [106][107] Other Important Information - The company has simplified its organizational structure, moving from five to three layers to enhance accountability and decision-making [6][49] - The innovation pipeline remains strong, with new product launches planned across various categories [56][66] - The company is leveraging digital and generative AI to improve operational efficiency and product development [39][75] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the 4% to 5% midterm guide being lower than previously communicated? - Management indicated that the decision reflects a prudent approach considering the uncertain macro environment and consumer confidence [94][96] Question: What are the expectations for gross margins in 2025? - Management does not expect further expansion of gross margins in 2025, with a focus on reinvesting savings into brand equity investment [97][98] Question: Can you clarify the outlook for operating margin and EPS growth? - Management confirmed expectations for operating margins to grow and reiterated a focus on year-on-year EPS growth [106][107] Question: What is the status of the Biofreeze brand and its future? - Management expressed confidence in Biofreeze, citing a strong innovation pipeline and plans for international expansion despite recent category slowdowns [134][136] Question: Are there any expected dis-synergies from the divestiture of Essential Home? - Management indicated that while there may be some costs associated with preparing for the divestiture, significant savings in core operations are expected to offset these impacts [120][127]

Core Viewpoint - Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (RBGLY; RBGPF) appears to have reached a low in April 2024 and is currently experiencing a rally, outperforming its peer group [1] Group 1 - The company has shown signs of recovery and growth since April 2024 [1] - Reckitt is outperforming its competitors in the market during this period [1]

Core Insights - 2024 has been challenging for shareholders of Reckitt Benckiser, with previous coverage in January rating the stock as a 'Buy' despite existing issues [1] Group 1 - The company is categorized as a British consumer staples giant, indicating its focus on essential goods [1] - The investment approach favored is long-term, buy-and-hold, particularly in stocks that can deliver sustainable high-quality earnings [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 0.5% like-for-like net revenue decline for Q3 2024, primarily driven by a 17.4% decline in the Nutrition business due to the Mount Vernon tornado impact [8][11] - The combined Health and Hygiene businesses grew by 2.6% in the quarter, with Hygiene growing by 2.1% and Health by 3.2% [8][10] - Year-to-date volume growth in Hygiene was 0.9%, with Q3 volume growth at 0.7%, led by Lysol [8][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Health delivered a 1.9% like-for-like net revenue growth year-to-date and 3.2% in Q3, driven by Durex, Dettol, VMS, and Gaviscon [10] - The Nutrition segment experienced an 11.6% like-for-like net revenue decline year-to-date and a 17.4% decline in Q3, primarily due to supply constraints from the tornado [11][12] - Hygiene's performance was broad-based, with core Powerbrands like Finish, Vanish, and Harpic contributing to growth, despite a tougher comparison for Finish in Q3 [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strong market share gains in the Health business, with improvements across OTC brands, Durex, and Dettol [4][10] - The U.S. Nutrition market share is under pressure due to supply constraints, but the company expects recovery in the next 6 to 9 months [33][34] - Developing Markets delivered stable performance with low single-digit growth [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on portfolio sharpening and organizational simplification, with a new operating model set to be deployed in January 2025 [5] - The share buyback program is progressing, with GBP 321 million worth of shares repurchased since July [5] - The company plans to exit the Essential Home business by the end of 2025, with a seasoned leadership team in place to manage the transition [5][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving full-year net revenue growth targets of 1% to 3%, with expectations for acceleration in Q4 [13] - The company anticipates a strong Q4 driven by underlying brand strength and easier comparatives from the previous year [13][22] - Management remains optimistic about the Health business's competitiveness and market share gains [4][10] Other Important Information - The company is actively managing litigation related to Mead Johnson, with no significant impact on brand equity expected [6][7] - Insurance proceeds related to the Mount Vernon tornado are expected to be recognized within 2024 and will be accounted for in EBIT [58][59] Q&A Session All Questions and Answers Question: Can you dig into market share commentary and gross margins versus BEI spend in the second half? - Management noted improvements in market shares across Health and Hygiene, with Health trending above 60% [16] - Gross margins guidance was not provided, but management does not expect significant differences in the second half [18] Question: How should we think about the bridge from current growth rates to mid-single digits? - Management indicated that the current lower growth rates are not indicative of long-term trends, with expectations for a strong Q4 and recovery in 2025 [22][23] Question: Can you provide details on the Essential Home carve-out and operational risks? - The exit from Essential Home will involve signed agreements, with operational performance being closely managed during the transition [24][26] Question: What are the uncertainties heading into Q4 regarding guidance? - Management reiterated the 1% to 3% guidance range, citing strong momentum and easier comparatives for Q4 [29] Question: Can you elaborate on Nutrition market shares and cold and flu trends? - Management expects to recover market shares in Nutrition over the next 6 to 9 months, with planning for an average cold and flu season [35][36] Question: How are pricing actions impacting Health and Nutrition? - Pricing in Health was primarily price-driven, while Nutrition faced a negative price impact due to supply management [54][55] Question: What is the status of Mead Johnson and potential sale? - Management views Mead Johnson as a strong business but indicated that timing for any sale will depend on the resolution of ongoing litigation [56][57]

Investors interested in Soap and Cleaning Materials stocks are likely familiar with Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (RBGLY) and Clorox (CLX) . But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emph ...

Investors looking for stocks in the Soap and Cleaning Materials sector might want to consider either Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (RBGLY) or Clorox (CLX) . But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out. There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank is a proven st ...

Company Participants Conference Call Participants Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Reckitt's Half Year 2024 Results Presentation and our Strategic Update. Before we start, I'd like to draw your attention to the usual disclaimer in respect to forward-looking statements. Now presenting today is Kris Licht, our CEO; and Shannon Eisenhardt, our CFO. Following the presentation will be the normal Q&A session. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. Shannon and I will kick off today's presentation ...

Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (OTCPK:RBGPF) Q1 2024 Earnings Conference Call April 24, 2024 3:30 AM ET Company Participants Richard Joyce - Head, Investor Relations Kris Licht - Chief Executive Officer Shannon Eisenhardt - Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Guillaume Delmas - UBS Celine Pannuti - JPMorgan Iain Simpson - Barclays Victoria Petrova - Bank of America Tom Sykes - Deutsche Bank Fulvio Cazzol - Berenberg David Hayes - Jefferies Jeremy Fialko - HSBC Emma Letheren - RBC Chris Pitcher ...

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (LSE:RKT, ETR:3RB)’s shares continue to suffer amid a series of legal challenges related to its baby formula products. The company is facing litigation and significant financial penalties due to allegations surrounding the safety and marketing of its infant nutrition products. Last week, the maker of Enfamil was ordered by a US judge to pay $60 million to a mother whose baby passed away, allegedly due to complications from consuming the formula. Though Reckitt is appealing, and s ...

DELIVERING FOR A CLEANER, HEALTHIER WORLD FY 2023 RESULTS FY 2023 RESULTS DISCLAIMER Cautionary note concerning forward-looking statements This presentation contains statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc and the Reckitt group of companies (the "Group") and certain of the plans and objectives of the Group that are forward-looking statements. Words such as 'intends', 'targets', or the negative of these terms and other similar expr ...