London, Jan 26, 2026, 09:00 GMT — Regular session
- Reckitt shares dropped roughly 3.8%, slipping to 5,788 pence in early London deals.
- Attention is on the Jan. 27 shareholder vote concerning a 235p special dividend alongside a share consolidation.
- Mark your calendar: Jan. 30 is the record date, Feb. 2 is when shares go ex-special dividend, and payment is set for Feb. 20.
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc shares dropped roughly 3.8% to 5,788 pence (£57.88) by 0900 GMT Monday, after closing last week at 6,018 pence. Early trading saw the stock fluctuate between 5,748 and 5,952 pence. (Investing)
The decline comes ahead of tomorrow’s shareholder vote on a £1.6 billion capital return plan. This includes a special dividend of 235 pence per share and a 24-for-25 share consolidation, according to a Jan. 7 regulatory filing. Reckitt plans to pay the dividend on Feb. 20, with shares going ex-dividend on Feb. 2 and the record date set for Jan. 30. (Eurolandir)
The timing is crucial. Investors aiming to collect the cash must be registered by week’s end. Meanwhile, the share consolidation—a technical adjustment that cuts the share count and shifts the price per share after the payout—could complicate short-term price signals.
Reckitt closed Friday at £60.18, slipping 1.57% on the session and still short of its 52-week peak of £62.62 reached earlier this month, according to MarketWatch data. About 1.0 million shares traded, below the 50-day average volume of 1.7 million. (MarketWatch)
Reckitt’s special dividend plan comes after it sold its Essential Home business to Advent International, a deal that closed on Dec. 31. Reckitt kept a 30% equity stake in the acquisition vehicle. Chief Executive Kris Licht described the divestment as “a major step forward in our strategy” when the company announced the completion. (Eurolandir)
Broker commentary highlights that the picture after the sale remains in flux. RBC Capital Markets, which downgraded its rating on Jan. 14, said its updated forecasts “are not the finished article.” The firm pointed to scant detail on 2026 margin expectations and what it described as stranded costs following the disposal. It also outlined assumptions regarding the group’s U.S. infant formula litigation exposure. (Sharecast)
The corporate action aims to maintain the per-share price roughly steady as cash exits the business. Still, these events often attract quick money and can ramp up volatility early in the session, particularly with index and derivatives adjustments on the horizon.
The package isn’t final yet. The special dividend and consolidation still need shareholder approval at Tuesday’s general meeting. Any unexpected result or delay could push investors to reassess the payout and near-term logistics. (Reckitt)
The immediate spotlight is on Tuesday’s meeting and the company’s next steps regarding implementation. Afterward, traders will watch how the shares perform leading up to the Jan. 30 record date and the Feb. 2 ex-special dividend and consolidation.
Reckitt plans to release its full-year results on March 5, followed by an investor presentation at 08:30 GMT at the London Stock Exchange. (Reckitt)
