26 October 2021                               

BROAD-BASED LFL GROWTH IN Q3; IMPROVED 2021 REVENUE OUTLOOK

1    LFL growth excludes IFCN China, Scholl and Biofreeze for the entirety of the current and prior periods. Non-GAAP measures are defined on page 9.

2    Net revenue includes IFCN China and Scholl for the period under ownership (to 9 September and 1 June, respectively) and Biofreeze (from 12 July). Additional financial information, reflecting the disposal of IFCN China, is provided on page 6.

Q3 highlights:

*     Group like-for-like ('LFL') net revenue growth of +3.3%: broad-based growth, balanced between volume and price/mix and an encouraging start to the cold and flu season; two-year 'stacked' net revenue growth up over 18%

*     Group reported net revenue decline of -6.8%: LFL growth of 3.3% was offset by a negative net M&A impact of 5.0%, primarily related to IFCN China, and adverse FX of 5.1%

*       Hygiene LFL growth of +2.9%: continued growth in Finish and Air Wick, offset by a slight decline in Lysol against a very strong comparative period

*       Health LFL growth of +3.6%: sharp improvement in cold and flu sales trends; lower declines in Dettol; continued positive momentum in Intimate Wellness; Biofreeze double-digit growth in Q3 (not included in LFL)

*       Nutrition LFL growth of +3.8%: growth in each of the three IFCN regions, with VMS declining slightly; reported net revenue declined 20.6% reflecting the lower revenue from IFCN China

*       eCommerce LFL growth +23%: 2-year 'stacked' net revenue growth of 86%

Commenting on these results, Laxman Narasimhan, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"In September, we reiterated the building blocks which will see Reckitt return to mid-single digit revenue growth and mid 20's margins. There is more to be done, but today's results are testament to our progress, with 3.3% LFL revenue growth building on the 15.3% growth of Q3 2020. We've delivered growth in each of our three GBUs and in each of our three geographic regions, with a balance of volume and price/mix across the portfolio. Nine of our ten largest brands are up double-digits on a two-year basis.

Reflecting this strength, we now expect like-for-like net revenue growth for FY 2021 in the range of 1-3%. Despite significant cost pressures, the benefits of our pricing actions, mix and productivity programme, mean our margin guidance is unchanged, and we remain confident in our medium-term outlook."

1    LFL growth excludes IFCN China, Scholl and Biofreeze for the entirety of the current and prior periods. Non-GAAP measures are defined on page 9.

Broad-based and balanced growth against a strong comparative period

Group net revenue grew by 3.3% on a LFL basis in Q3 with volume growth of 1.6% and price/ mix improvements of 1.7%.  Strong price/mix growth in Nutrition and Developing Markets has been offset to a degree by more normal levels of trade investment in our disinfection brands. Revenue growth builds on 15.3% LFL growth in the comparative period resulting in two-year 'stacked' growth of 18.6%.

Growth was broad-based, with each of the three GBUs and each of the three geographic regions growing in the quarter. Brands less sensitive to COVID dynamics, representing around 70% of our portfolio, continued to grow, on average, by mid-single digits.

The net effect of M&A was a 5.0% reduction in revenue in the quarter. This related primarily to lower net revenue from IFCN China, and also included the disposal of Scholl and the acquisition of Biofreeze.

FX headwinds reduced net revenue by 5.1% due primarily to a general strengthening of Sterling against many currencies. 

eCommerce LFL net revenue grew 23% in the quarter, with two-year 'stacked' growth of 86%, and now accounts for 12% of Group net revenue (excluding IFCN China). Growth was broad-based and driven across geographies, GBUs and channels.

Outlook

Following stronger than expected trading in Q3, we now expect LFL net revenue growth for FY 2021 in the range of 1-3%. This assumes a softer performance in Q4, reflecting primarily a likely reduction in COVID prevalence in the US and the resulting impact on Lysol. Additionally, whilst early season demand for our cold and flu relief products has been encouraging, it is too early to predict the extent to which trends will continue.

COGS inflation continues to be challenging, particularly in areas such as surfactants, paper, tinplate and ocean freight, and is currently running at around 10%. However, our 2021 Group adjusted operating profit margin guidance, excluding IFCN China for the entirety of the year, remains unchanged at 22.7-23.2%. As previously guided, our total Group margins will be lower due to the dilution related to IFCN China.    

The trading backdrop is set to remain dynamic over the coming months. In addition to cost pressures, COVID continues to influence demand and buying patterns for our disinfection, and cold and flu relief products. However, 70% of our portfolio is less sensitive to COVID dynamics and growing at mid-single digits and we have pricing actions and productivity plans firmly in place. We therefore remain confident in delivering margin improvement in 2022 and we are on track to exit 2022 with mid-single digit LFL net revenue growth.

We expect the 2021 adjusted net finance expense to be c.£240-260m, and the 2021 adjusted tax rate to be around 22%.

Hygiene                                                                                         44% of net revenue in Q3 2021

1    Non-GAAP measures are defined on page 9.

Hygiene net revenue grew 2.9% on a LFL basis to £1,449m in the quarter. This reflected volume growth of 2.7% and price/mix improvements of 0.2% which was driven by strong growth in Latam offset by more normal levels of trade investment in Lysol.

Finish and Air Wick grew mid-single digits, with good growth across most major markets. This is despite the strong performance in the comparative period, where consumers were spending more time at home.

During the quarter, the spread of the Delta variant in the US resulted in a significant increase in COVID cases, peaking in late August. As a result, Lysol revenue, following double-digit declines in July, strengthened during the remainder of the quarter leading to a low-single digit decline overall, better than original expectations. Market share improvements for Lysol remain strong, with further share gains in both wipes and disinfectant spray in the US.

Other key brands performed well in the quarter, most notably Vanish, with broad-based, double-digit growth, reflecting increased social activity.

Health                                                                                             36% of net revenue in Q3 2021

1    Net revenue includes Scholl for the period under ownership (to 1 June) and Biofreeze (from 12 July).

2    LFL growth excludes Scholl and Biofreeze for the entirety of the current and prior periods. Non-GAAP measures are defined on page 9.

Health net revenue grew on a LFL basis by 3.6% in the quarter to £1,186m. This reflected a volume growth of 2.2% and price/mix improvements of 1.4% with strong pricing growth in Developing Markets, offset by a normalisation of trade investment in Dettol. The net impact of the disposal of Scholl and the acquisition of Biofreeze reduced net revenue by 1.2% in the quarter primarily as a result of the relative size of the businesses.

Dettol net revenue continues to show signs of stabilising significantly above 2019 levels. Revenue declined in the quarter, but at a lower rate than Q2. This improvement was due in part to a return to growth in China, one of Dettol's largest markets and the first to be impacted by COVID.

Strong growth in Intimate Wellness continued, up mid-single digits, against a strong comparative which saw social restrictions eased in a number of markets, as well as the launch of the PU condom.

Overall, our OTC portfolio grew over 20% in the quarter, driven primarily by Mucinex sales which benefited from a sharp improvement in cold and flu sales trends which accelerated throughout the quarter. Our portfolio of cold and flu relief products gained significant share in the quarter, reversing the trends of the first half of the year. Gaviscon continued to grow double-digits due to innovation and supply chain improvements.

Within personal care Veet grew mid-single digits, as innovations such as Veet Minima/Pure and Veet Men offset the difficult comparatives.

The acquisition of Biofreeze completed on 12 July. Performance of the business continues to be strong, with double-digit net revenue growth in the quarter due to successful marketing execution and innovation.

Nutrition                                                                             20% of net revenue in Q3 2021

1    Nutrition net revenue includes the revenue contribution from IFCN China for the period under ownership (to 9 September).

2   LFL net revenue growth excludes the contribution from IFCN China for the entirety of the respective periods.  Non-GAAP measures are defined on page 9.

Nutrition net revenue grew on a LFL basis by 3.8% in the quarter to £640m. This reflected volume decline of 2.5% and price/mix improvements of 6.3% due to pricing growth in IFCN North America and VMS. Reported net revenue declined 20.6% primarily reflecting the decline in IFCN China revenue.

IFCN net revenue grew 5% on a LFL basis. The US business, which represents around half of IFCN revenue, grew high-single digits. This has been driven primarily by Nutramigen - our Specialty brand - and good share gains in the base Enfa business, along with an increase in birth rates in recent months. Our business in ASEAN returned to growth following the increased focus placed on the business in recent months, whilst in Latam, trading continues to be positive.

Our Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements business declined slightly, as Neuriva our brain support supplement continued to perform strongly, offsetting declines in Airborne.  

IFCN China

IFCN China contributed revenue of £51m in Q3 and £375m YTD. As previously guided, the business is expected to be dilutive to 2021 Group margins reflecting difficult trading and certain costs incurred prior to the transfer of the business.

Performance by Geography 

1    LFL net revenue growth excludes the contribution from IFCN China, Scholl and Biofreeze for the entirety of the respective periods. Non-GAAP measures are defined on page 9.

2    Group net revenue includes the revenue contribution from IFCN China (Developing markets) and Scholl (all geographies) for the period under ownership (9 September and 1 June, respectively) and Biofreeze (North America from 12 July).

North America Q3 net revenue grew +5.1% on a LFL basis, with growth in Mucinex and IFCN more than offsetting declines in Airborne.

Europe/ANZ Q3 net revenue grew by +0.6% on a LFL basis, as good growth in Nurofen, Strepsils, Durex and most Hygiene brands was offset by declines in Dettol.

Developing markets Q3 net revenue grew by +4.2% on a LFL basis with good growth across Durex, OTC and VMS brands offsetting an overall decline in Dettol.