Reckitt Launches £500 Million Buyback After Strong Q2 Sales

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC launched a £500 million share buyback program on July 29, 2026, after reporting second-quarter sales that outperformed analyst expectations. For the quarter ending June 30, the company achieved a 4.2% like-for-like net revenue growth in its core business, primarily supported by a 9.4% increase in emerging markets such as China and India.

Total group revenue decreased 8.1% to £6.41 billion, a drop attributed to the disposal of the Essential Home business. Despite this decrease in total revenue, the company maintained its full-year core revenue growth guidance of 4-5%.

Chief Executive Kris Licht described the results as a "broad-based acceleration." Addressing the financial pressure of higher oil-linked input costs resulting from the Iran war, Licht called the situation a "manageable headwind." Following the announcement, Reckitt shares increased by approximately 5-7%.