Haleon confirms outlook despite 'challenging' backdrop

(Sharecast News) - Consumer healthcare giant Haleon reiterated its full-year guidance on Wednesday, despite an increasingly "challenging and uncertain" macroeconomic backdrop. The owner of Sensodyne toothpaste, Centrum vitamins and Panadol, among others brands, said revenues in the three months to March grew 3.5% on an organic constant currency basis, to £2.85bn, boosted by increases in both prices and volumes.

On a reported basis, revenues fell 2.3%.

Within that, the strongest organic growth was seen in EMEA and Latin America, where sales rose 5% at £1.19bn.

The oral health division saw a 6.6% increase in sales, to £880m, while pain relief was 2.6% stronger at £661m.

In contrast, vitamins, minerals and supplements showed more modest growth, with sales up just 0.9% at £416m.

Brian McNamara, chief executive, said: "First-quarter trading performance was in line with our expectations.

"Looking ahead, we continue to expect the macroeconomic environment to remain both challenging and uncertain. However, we are confident that we are well-positioned to deliver on our 2025 guidance, underpinned by the strength of our portfolio and the categories in which we operate."

Haleon, which was spun out of GSK in 2022, has forecast organic revenue growth of between 4% and 6% in 2025, with operating profit growth ahead of that.

As at 0945 BST, shares in the blue chip were down 1% at 373.61p.