7th Jan 2026 08:22
(Alliance News) - Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC on Wednesday confirmed it intends to return around GBP1.6 billion to shareholders through a special dividend following the completion of the sale of the Essential Home business to Advent International LP.
The Slough, England-based consumer health and hygiene products company behind Durex, Nurofen and Vanish proposes to pay the 235 pence per share special dividend on January 30.
Last July, the FTSE 100 listing struck a USD4.8 billion deal to sell a majority chunk of its Essential Home division and said it planned to return excess capital from the disposal to shareholders.
Following the sale, which was completed on the last day of 2025, Reckitt has retained an interest in Essential Home through a 30% stake in Advent's acquisition vehicle.
In addition, Reckitt proposed a consolidation of its share capital on the basis of 24 new shares for every 25.
This will reduce the number of existing shares in issue by around the same proportion of market capitalisation returned via the special dividend.
Therefore, Reckitt expects that the market price of each share should remain at a broadly similar level following the special dividend and share consolidation. Reckitt will hold a general meeting on January 27 to approve the move.
Shares in Reckitt were 0.2% lower at 6,046.00 pence each in London on Wednesday morning. The wider FTSE 100 was down 0.3%.
By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter
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