London, January 28, 2026, 09:14 (GMT) — Regular session
Reckitt Benckiser shares (RKT.L) edged higher by 0.1% to 5,968 pence in early London trading on Wednesday. This followed shareholder approval of a special dividend of 235 pence per share, alongside a related share consolidation. So far, the stock has fluctuated between 5,934 and 5,988 pence during the session. 1
The vote is crucial because it sets a clear timetable for a one-off cash payout and a share count reset. This move can attract short-term buyers and hedgers, even if daily trading shows little change.
The tape often gets messy around this time. “Ex-dividend” marks when a stock trades without entitlement to the next payout, and prices usually wobble as investors adjust their positions.
All resolutions at Tuesday’s general meeting cleared the vote by poll, including the special dividend, which saw 99.99% backing, and the share consolidation at 99.96%. Shareholders also greenlit renewed authorities on share allotments, pre-emption disapplications, and buybacks. The company announced it had applied to admit 674,005,752 new ordinary shares following the consolidation. 2
Reckitt laid out its plan earlier this month to return roughly £1.6 billion via a 235p special dividend. Alongside that, the company will carry out a reverse share split, consolidating its stock at 24 new shares for every 25 old ones. This move aims to keep the share price roughly steady after the changes. The timetable sets the final trade in existing shares at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 30. Shares will then trade ex-dividend and in their consolidated form starting Feb. 2. The special dividend payment is scheduled for Feb. 20, pending approval of the new shares. 3
Reckitt revealed it repurchased 51,050 ordinary shares on Jan. 26, paying between 5,736 and 5,966 pence each. The company confirmed these shares will be held in treasury—meaning they remain owned but not cancelled. 4
On Monday, the company rejected claims of a product recall in the Philippines, stating no such recall has taken place there. Reckitt clarified that the Mead Johnson Nutrition item mentioned — “Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula” — isn’t registered or sold in the Philippines. 5
The special payout comes after Reckitt finalized the sale of its Essential Home business to Advent International on Dec. 31. Reckitt retains a 30% equity stake in the buyer’s vehicle. “The completion of the divestment of Essential Home is a major step forward in our strategy,” CEO Kris Licht said at the time. 6
At the moment, the trade hinges largely on mechanics: who’s chasing the dividend, who’s exiting ahead of the stock going ex, and how much liquidity emerges as positions shift into the consolidated line. The fresh buyback authority offers a safety net, but it doesn’t promise consistent support during volatile sessions.
Still, risks remain. Corporate moves might trigger strange price gaps or settlement glitches. Any hold-up in admitting new shares could push back the schedule. And headlines on infant nutrition can spark sudden volatility—just look at Monday’s update from the Philippines.
The next key date is the Jan. 30 cutoff — the final day to trade existing shares and the record date for the payout. After that, trading moves to the consolidated shares on Feb. 2, with the special dividend set for payment on Feb. 20. 7
