Business
Special Dividend and Share Consolidation
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc has published a circular detailing a proposed special dividend of 235 pence per ordinary share, amounting to approximately £1.6 billion, to be paid following the divestment of its Essential Home business. This dividend, in addition to ongoing buybacks and ordinary dividends, will be accompanied by a 24 for 25 share consolidation, aiming to maintain market capitalization. Shareholders will vote on these proposals at a general meeting on January 27, 2026, with the special dividend expected to be paid on February 20, 2026. Disclaimer*
About this update from Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n7 January 2026\nRECKITT BENCKISER GROUP PLC\nPUBLICATION OF CIRCULAR RELATING TO A SPECIAL DIVIDEND AND SHARE CONSOLIDATION AND NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING\nFollowing the announcement on 31 December 2025 confirming the completion of the divestment of the Essential Home business to Advent International, L.P., Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (\"Reckitt\") is pleased to announce that a circular setting out full details of the proposed special dividend and associated share consolidation (the \"Circular\") has been published today.\nThe Circular confirms that following completion, Reckitt intends to return approximately £1.6 billion of excess capital to shareholders by way of a proposed special dividend of 235 pence per existing ordinary share in the capital of Reckitt (the \"Special Dividend\").\nThe Circular sets out full details of the proposed Special Dividend and associated 24 for 25 share consolidation (the \"Share Consolidation\") and also contains a notice convening a general meeting of Reckitt to be held at Slaughter and May, One Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8YY at 8.00 a.m. on Tuesday 27 January 2026 (the \"General Meeting\").\nSpecial Dividend\nReckitt confirms that it intends to return approximately £1.6 billion to shareholders by way of a proposed Special Dividend of 235 pence per existing ordinary share. The Board is proposing to pay the Special Dividend to shareholders on the register as at 6.00 p.m. on Friday 30 January 2026 in pounds sterling. An equivalent amount in US dollars is proposed to be paid to those ADR Holders that are on the ADR register as at 9.00 a.m. (New York time) on Monday 2 February 2026 (being the effective date for the Share Consolidation for the ADSs).\nSubject to (i) shareholder approval of the Special Dividend and the Share Consolidation; and (ii) admission in respect of the new ordinary shares, the Special Dividend is expected to be paid to shareholders on Friday 20 February 2026 and to ADR holders commencing Friday 27 February 2026.\nThe proposed Special Dividend is in addition to Reckitt's ongoing share buyback programme and ordinary dividend policy.\nShare Consolidation\nIt is proposed that, subject to (i) shareholder approval of the Special Dividend and the Share Consolidation; and (ii) admission in respect of the new ordinary shares, the payment of the Special Dividend be accompanied by a con...