Reckitt’s second-quarter sales were lower than expected Reuters

(Reuters)-Lysol manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser Group did not meet analysts’ expectations for second-quarter sales on Tuesday because demand for its soap and cold medicine slowed and the company supported its full-year outlook.

According to the consensus provided by the company, the company reported that similar sales for the three months ended June 30 increased by 2.2%, excluding its infant nutrition business in China, which was lower than the 2.3% growth expected by analysts.

Last year, the pandemic pushed Reckitt’s sales to record levels, but there are signs that this momentum is waning as the pace of vaccination accelerates and home restrictions in advanced economies are lifted.

Reckitt said that brands such as Finish, Airwick, Harpic and Veet (which account for 70% of its sales) are growing, but the growth rate is lower than last year, while brands such as Durex, Vanish and Nurofen are returning to growth as market conditions normalize.

Sales of the company’s health business (including Harpic disinfectant and Finish dishwasher pods) increased by 7.8% year-on-year, while sales of its health business (which produces Mucinex cough syrup and Strepsils lozenges) fell 5.6% in the second quarter .

Adjusted earnings per share for the six months ended June was 142.6 pence, which was lower than the average estimate of 144.4 pence.

The company changed its name from RB to Reckitt earlier this year, maintaining its full-year sales growth forecast between flat and 2% growth.