Reckitt to return £1.6bn to shareholders after Essential Home sale

(Sharecast News) - Consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser said on Wednesday that it will return £1.6bn to shareholders by way of a special dividend following the sale of its Essential Home business. The special dividend of 235p per share will be paid to shareholders on the register as at 1800 GMT on 30 January.

Reckitt said it will be accompanied by a consolidation of its ordinary share capital on the basis of 24 new ordinary shares for every 25 existing ordinary shares.

The company announced in July 2025 that it had agreed to sell the Essential Home business to private equity firm Advent for up to $4.8bn. Reckitt retained an interest in the business through a 30% equity stake in Advent's acquisition vehicle.