Reckitt Benckiser stock carries 4.2 percent Q2 growth into Q3

Published on 10/05/2026 at 19:32 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Reckitt Benckiser stock carries 4.2 percent Q2 growth into its October 27 trading update. UBS raised its target to GBp 7,600 on October 1.

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Reckitt Benckiser (ISIN GB00BSZBP530) accelerated Core Reckitt like-for-like net revenue growth to 4.2 percent in Q2 2026, up 1.5 percentage points from the 2.7 percent H1 rate. The company has scheduled its Q3 trading update for October 27, 2026, giving investors a defined checkpoint for whether that acceleration continued.

Q2 growth sets the bar

Reckitt reported H1 2026 Core Reckitt like-for-like growth of 2.7 percent and Q2 growth of 4.2 percent. The H1 Core Reckitt gross profit margin was 60.9 percent, while adjusted operating profit margin stood at 24.8 percent.

The operating picture also included adjusted diluted earnings per share of 152.1 pence for H1 2026. The figures point to a stronger second quarter, but the comparison now moves toward the third quarter, when the company must show that the higher growth rate can persist.

Analysts split on the pace

UBS raised its price target from GBp 7,400 to GBp 7,600 on October 1, 2026, while keeping a Buy rating, according to Yahoo Finance. The same report said UBS forecast third-quarter group like-for-like growth of 3.7 percent and Core Reckitt growth of 4.2 percent.

Jefferies took the more cautious view, cutting its target from GBp 6,100 to GBp 5,900 while retaining Buy, Yahoo Finance reported on October 1, 2026. Its forecast for 2026 Core Reckitt growth was 3.8 percent, below the company's 4 percent to 5 percent guidance.

Consensus remains constructive

MarketScreener listed a mean Buy consensus from 19 analysts, with an average target price of GBP 62.39, in its analyst overview of Reckitt Benckiser Group. The overview also showed a 26.60 percent spread between the last close and the average target, according to MarketScreener.

Market value and next date

Reckitt Benckiser had a market capitalization of GBP 31.5 billion as of October 5, 2026. The October 27 trading update is the next scheduled company event, followed by a North America investor event on November 19, 2026, according to Reckitt.

Reckitt Benckiser stock facts

Company: Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
ISIN: GB00BSZBP530
Ticker: RKT
Trading venue: London Stock Exchange
Market capitalization: GBP 31.5 billion (as of October 5, 2026)
Sector / Industry: Consumer Non-Cyclicals / Personal and Household Products and Services