London, Feb 16, 2026, 08:00 GMT — Regular session
- Reckitt Benckiser traded at 6,466 pence in early hours, holding close to its 52-week high, with shares showing little movement.
- Eligible shareholders are set for a 235 pence special dividend on Feb. 20, with the share consolidation already wrapped up.
- Eyes are on full-year results, set for release March 5.
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc shares barely moved at the open in London on Monday, slipping 0.03% to 6,466 pence, keeping the stock just under its 52-week high.
Right now, cash is in the spotlight. Reckitt’s targeting a 235 pence-per-share special dividend, scheduled for Feb. 20, as it moves ahead with plans to return roughly £1.6 billion to shareholders after shuffling its portfolio.
Next up: March. Reckitt’s full-year numbers are due out on March 5, with an investor presentation slated for 08:30 GMT at the London Stock Exchange, according to the company.
Shares finished Friday at 6,468 pence, rising 1.16% for the session—right at the top end of the stock’s 12-month range, according to recent figures.
The dividend’s already baked into the price for anyone coming in now. Shares went ex-special-dividend on Feb. 2, so anyone buying after doesn’t get the payout. To keep the trading price roughly steady after the cash drops out, the company lined up a 24-for-25 share consolidation alongside the dividend.
After unloading its Essential Home business to Advent International, Reckitt is handing out a special dividend and keeping a 30% equity stake in the unit. Chief Executive Kris Licht described the move as “a major step forward,” framing the deal as part of the company’s drive to sharpen its focus on consumer health and hygiene “Powerbrands.” Reckitt
Capital returns kept rolling in. On Feb. 2, Reckitt wrapped up the second leg of its £1 billion buyback, scooping up 3,461,470 shares at an average £59.46 apiece; those shares now sit in treasury.
Still, there’s an execution risk baked into the plan. Reckitt has already pointed to around $0.8 billion in cash tax, transaction, and other one-off costs tied mostly to carving out Essential Home, with the bulk of that hitting in 2026; a slip-up on expenses, or softer demand in core areas, stands to drag on sentiment.
FTSE 100 edged higher by about 0.2% at the open, with Reckitt holding close to the index after its latest gains.
