BRITISH household goods firm Reckitt Benckiser reported on Wednesday (February 12) that profits dipped last year amid slowing demand in emerging markets.
Earnings after taxation dipped by 4.5 per cent to £1.74bn ($2.87bn) in 2013.
That compared with £1.82bn ($1.10bn) in 2012, Reckitt said in a results statement.
Pre-tax profits eased 2.6 per cent to £2.31bn ($1.39bn) last year, although total revenues climbed almost five per cent to £10.04bn ($6.07bn).
Chief executive Rakesh Kapoor said in an earnings statement that the group was helped by its so-called power brand products.
“We are pleased with the continued strength of our Europe and North America performance,” he said.
“And while emerging markets continue to slow, we delivered very strong results in India and China.”
Reckitt’s top-selling brands include household cleaner Cillit Bang, Durex condoms and Nurofen/Nureflex pain relief tablets.
“Market conditions are more challenging now than at the beginning of last year, particularly in some emerging markets,” added Kapoor.
“However, we have confidence that our pipeline of innovations, power brand (product) roll-outs and brand investments will deliver another year of high quality growth.”
The group had announced in October that it would undertake a strategic review of its drugs division, Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals (RBP). It said on Wednesday that it will provide an update on the review this year.
