Reckitt Benckiser has reported a strong first-half performance, with like-for-like (LFL) net sales for its core business up 4.2% year-on-year, driven by Powerbrands and double-digit growth in emerging markets.

For the six months ending 30 June 2025, the household goods giant, which portfolio includes brands such as Dettol, Nurofen and Enfamil, posted that its profits were up 1.8%, to £1,714m, while the group’s LNL net sales inched up 1.5%.

The half-year financial update comes a mere week after the business also confirmed the divestment of its Essential Home business to private equity firm Advent International for up to £3.6bn ($4.8bn), in a strategic move aimed at streamlining its operations and sharpening it focus on its health and hygiene portfolio.

It is understood Reckitt will retain a 30% equity stake in the divested unit, which includes brands such as Air Wick and Cillit Bang.

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Speaking about divestment, group CEO Kris Licht hailed the division’s offloading “a significant step” in the company’s transformation journey:

“We’re executing against our strategy with improving volume trends, market share gains, and operating margin expansion. We’re now in a position to upgrade our full-year guidance,” the chief executive said.

“While there is still much work to do, the journey to fundamentally reshape Reckitt into a more efficient, world-class health
and hygiene company is well underway and reflecting that we are upgrading our LFL net revenue guidance for 2025.”

Looking ahead, the business said it was upgrading it outlook and targeting LFL net revenue growth to above 4% in Core Reckitt for FY25, up from its previous prediction of 3% to 4%.