As it happened: Stocks reach all-time high; US fires back at ‘surprise’ Iran attacks Markets Welcome back to the Morning Wire FTSE 100 liveblog. It’s Wednesday and the UK’s blue-chip index surged in early trading to reach an all-time high, brushing off the latest outbreak of attacks in the Middle East. The FTSE 100 hit 10,945 on the market open, eclipsing the previous intraday record of 10,934, achieved in February on the [...]
Reckitt shares slump as Durex owner fears £150m Iran war hit Retail Reckitt shares slumped after the consumer goods giant warned it could take a hit of up to £150m if the Iran war keeps oil prices high for the rest of the year. The FTSE 100 firm – which owns Durex condoms and cleaning brands like Dettol, Vanish and Calgon – saw its stock fall by [...]
Business groups warn against axing ‘fundamental’ red tape watchdog Regulation Some of Britain’s largest business groups have urged the business secretary not to scrap a body responsible for scrutinising business regulation, saying it plays a “fundamental” role evaluating the impact of red tape on British firms. The intervention comes as the Department for Business confirmed to Morning Wire that ministers are “considering the role” of [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Airline shares fall after Wizz Air profit warning; Primark new boss March 5, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. Global markets returned to a touch of stability on Wednesday as energy prices retreated as investors awaited the latest on the events in the Middle East. The FTSE 100 ended the day 0.8 per cent higher at 10,567.65p – still far below it’s level at [...]
Reckitt: Consumer goods giant upgrades outlook July 24, 2025 Reckitt Benckiser has upgraded its expected revenue for its core brands this year, following the implementation of a significant simplification drive last year. The FTSE 100 giant now expects like for like net revenue growth to above be above four per cent in ‘Core Reckitt’ brands – which include Dettol, Nurofen and Lysol – this [...]
Reckitt sells majority stake in Air Wick and Cillit Bang arm July 18, 2025 Reckitt Benckiser has agreed to sell its Essential Home business to private equity investor Advent International for $4.8bn (£3.6bn). Essential Home includes the brands Air Wick, Calgon, Woolite and Cillit Bang. The FTSE 100 giant, which will retain a 30 per cent equity stake in the business, has been reshaping its business to focus on “11 high-growth, high-margin [...]
Dettol and Nurofen owner Reckitt to sell divisions as it slims down March 6, 2025 Dettol, Lysol, Durex, and Nurofen owner Reckitt has delivered a mixed financial performance for 2024, with modest like-for-like revenue growth and increased profitability but a decline in reported net revenue due to foreign exchange impacts. Like-for-like net revenue rose 1.4 per cent, driven by gains in Hygiene and Health, while Nutrition declined. Hygiene and Health [...]
Reckitt: FTSE 100 giant’s revenue slides amid restructuring October 23, 2024 Reckitt has reported a drop in like-for-like revenue as the company continues to struggle after the pandemic. For the third quarter the company reported like-for-like net revenue growth of -0.5 per cent, although revenue increased 0.4 per cent for the year to 30 September. Overall, the group reported a net revenue decline of four per [...]
Reckitt Benckiser: Dettol producer shares plunge on baby formula fears July 29, 2024 Shares in Reckitt Benckiser plunged nearly 10 per cent after a US jury found Abbott Laboratories failed to warn consumers about the health risks of its product.
Market shrugs at Durex owner Reckitt’s growth and simplification plan July 24, 2024 Durex condom maker Reckitt Benckiser has pledged to sell off its home care and nutrition brands as part of a simplification drive, instead focusing on health and hygiene.