London, Jan 19, 2026, 09:57 GMT — Trading underway
- Reckitt Benckiser shares dipped slightly in early London trading as European stocks faced selling pressure.
- The company announced a further modest share buyback as part of its ongoing repurchase programme.
- Investors are focused on a shareholder vote scheduled for late January involving a proposed special dividend and a share consolidation.
Shares of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc slipped roughly 0.2% to 6,102 pence by 0957 GMT, bouncing between 6,088 and 6,136 earlier in the session. 1
The stock dipped as European shares fell following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of new tariffs against eight European countries unless the U.S. gets to buy Greenland, spiking trade tensions just ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. ING economists flagged that “the rationale for higher tariffs is now even more political and less economic than in the first half of 2025,” while Kyle Rodda, senior financial market analyst at Capital.com, cautioned that “equities may experience some downside pressure.” 2
Reckitt investors are zeroing in on capital returns in the short term. The company scheduled a general meeting for Jan. 27 to get shareholder approval for a special dividend and a related share consolidation, tied to the recent sale of its Essential Home business. 3
Reckitt announced on Monday that it repurchased 48,790 ordinary shares on Jan. 16, paying an average of 6,146.69 pence each. These shares will be held in treasury. Following the buyback, total voting rights now stand at 671,894,115. 4
Earlier filings from Reckitt revealed the special dividend would come to 235 pence per existing ordinary share, adding up to roughly £1.6 billion. The company also announced a 24-for-25 share consolidation—a technical move to shrink the number of shares outstanding, aiming to maintain the share price near its current level following the one-off cash payout. 5
On Dec. 31, Reckitt wrapped up the sale of Essential Home to Advent International, retaining a 30% equity stake in the buyer’s acquisition vehicle. “The completion of the divestment of Essential Home is a major step forward in our strategy,” CEO Kris Licht stated at the time. 6
The stock acted like a typical defensive pick for several months, buoyed by clear plans for the disposal and anticipated cash returns. Monday’s trading, however, saw a broad sell-off as tariff news rattled markets across Europe.
Yet the dividend play hinges on flawless execution. A hiccup in the shareholder vote or any delay in the schedule could shake the recent gains. Meanwhile, broader market sentiment stays on edge ahead of the next batch of tariff signals.
Investors are zeroing in on the Jan. 27 shareholder meeting, which will cover the special dividend and share consolidation. Tariff news is also simmering as Trump’s Feb. 1 start date looms.
