Condom Sales Boost Reckitt Benckiser Profits

Strong demand for a new condom has helped send Reckitt Benckiser (Xetra: A0M1W6 - news) (RB) profits 10% higher in the first half of the year.

The FTSE 100-listed consumer goods company reported a 5% growth in like-for-like revenues, with its health division being the key driver behind its performance.

Sales in the health division climbed 13% which was attributed in part to strong Durex sales following the launch of Real Feel, its thinnest ever non-latex condom.

Its sexual wellbeing category also benefited from the acquisition of K-Y, which it bought from Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ - news) in March last year.

It also said that good growth was seen in its Gaviscon, Nurofen and Strepsils brands, which it put down to a favourable 'flu season'.

Commenting on these results, Rakesh Kapoor, RB's boss, said: "We continue to invest behind our innovations such as Scholl Express Pedi and Durex Real Feel in both developed and developing markets leading to broad-based growth across both areas."

Given the strength of its first-half results, Mr Kapoor added: "We now expect to exceed the targets we set at the beginning of the year."

From a global perspective the company said it had seen "improved consumer sentiment in India", however it caveated this by saying that the Brazilian market remained "particularly tough".

Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) in the company rose by as much as 2.9% on the back of the results - propelling them to the top of the FTSE 100 leaderboard. In the last 12 months its shares have risen over 17%.