Announcements

RB Press release - 12/10/2001
Strong Q3 at Reckitt Benckiser Reconfirms Full Year Targets

The following is the text for the Reckitt Benckiser conference call to be given today by Bart Becht, Chief Executive Officer, and Colin Day, Chief Financial Officer, at 1400hrs London time. The purpose of the call is to update the market on progress of the business in the third quarter and first nine months of 2001.

Commenting on the position, Bart Becht said

"Q3 was a strong quarter boosted by particularly good performance in the developed western markets accounting for 75% of our total business. Results were somewhat tempered by some further softening in selected developing markets and a disappointing performance in China. In total, Company results were well ahead of market and industry growth as we saw broad-based market share gains due to higher investment and the success of our major innovations. As a result, we are reconfirming the full year targets of 6% net revenue growth and 18% net income growth for the whole company (at constant exchange), together with the £50m reduction in working capital."

Update on Q3

The third quarter saw further strong underlying growth continuing the trends established in the first half. For the total Company, net revenue growth at actual exchange is expected to be around 7% (2000 base £787m) and at constant exchange 8%. The net effect of acquisitions and disposals added less than 2% to net revenue growth.

Profitability continues to benefit from strong top line growth and steady improvement in margins offset by higher marketing investment. Consequently the Company looks for Q3 normalized net income to grow broadly in line with the full year target growth of 18% (2000 base of £62m).

Year to Date

Net revenue growth for the first 9 months of the year on a total reported basis is expected to be around 8% (base £2,342m) and at constant exchange 6%. The net effect of the acquired businesses less discontinued businesses has no material impact on the growth rate for the period.

Normalized net income growth in the 9 months is expected to be above the target rate for the full year of 18% for the total company (2000 base of £178m).

The full results for Q3 and the nine months to end September will be released on 14th November 2001.

For Further Information

Tom Corran - SVP Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Telephone +44 1753 446 548

Lydia Wilhelm - Investor Relations Manager
Telephone +44 1753 446 550