UBS Forecasts Higher Q3 Sales for Reckitt Benckiser Amid Broad-based Growth

05:25 AM EDT, 10/12/2026 (MT Newswires) -- UBS Global Research expects Reckitt Benckiser Group (RKT.L) to report an increase in third-quarter sales when the company releases its latest quarterly trading update on Oct. 27. The UK-based consumer goods group's like-for-like sales are projected to rise 3.7% year over year to 3.29 billion pounds sterling in the quarter, against the Visible Alpha consensus of 3.6%, according to a sector preview note. On a reported basis, UBS forecasts a 5.2% annual growth in sales. "Within this, we model Q3 LFL of +4.2% for Core Reckitt (VA cons +4.0%), consistent with the +4.2% posted in Q2. That said, we anticipate growth to be more broad-based in Q3 as Europe should improve sequentially (from -1.5% in Q2 to flat in Q3), North America is likely to normalise as Reckitt laps last year's shelf reset benefit in Cough & Cold (UBSe +1.0% down from +2.8% in Q2) and Emerging Markets to remain in HSD territory (+9.5% in Q3, was +9.4% in Q2)," the research firm said. "This implies Reckitt needs to deliver 6+% in Q4 to reach the bottom end of its 4-5% guidance range, which RKT is confident it can achieve, led by easier Europe comps, China Durex launches, and a modest uplift in Cough & Cold incidence," UBS added. For full-year 2026, the research firm anticipates like-for-like sales growth to come in at 3.6%, compared with the consensus of 3.5%. Reckitt's stock is rated buy at UBS.