London, Jan 19, 2026, 10:34 GMT — Regular session
- Shares of Rentokil Initial dip in London morning trading following a major-holdings filing
- Independent Franchise Partners has trimmed its stake slightly, reducing it from 5.01% to 4.98%
- The spotlight now turns to March results and a CEO transition scheduled for later this quarter
Rentokil Initial (RTO.L) slipped 1.1% to 459.3 pence in London on Monday, starting the session at 461.1 pence. The shares moved in a range from 457.7 to 463.7 pence, with roughly 3.0 million shares traded. 1
Selling pressure came after a TR-1 disclosure—the UK’s standard form for major shareholding announcements—revealed Independent Franchise Partners, LLP trimmed its stake to 4.98% from 5.01%. The firm held 125,795,910 voting rights, with the change dated Jan. 15 and Rentokil informed on Jan. 16, according to the notice. 2
Rentokil faces a crucial stretch ahead, with full-year results set for March 5 and a CEO transition on March 16. Chair Richard Solomons, unveiling the succession plan, praised Mike Duffy for his “proven track record of delivering profitable growth and transforming businesses.” 3
The FTSE 100 slipped 0.04%, reflecting a broadly flat mood. Rentokil, a UK pest control and hygiene services group, was part of the mix. 4
Following the March figures, Rentokil Initial plans to release its Q1 trading update on April 16. The company’s annual general meeting is set for May 7, per its investor calendar. 5
Disclosures like Monday’s represent a small slice of activity, yet they can shift the tape as investors scramble to figure out who’s buying and who’s selling ahead of earnings.
Part of it’s mechanical. Funds rebalance, mandates shift, clients move money, and filings only show up afterward.
But the opposite can happen. If investors see the move as a sign that more institutional selling is on the horizon — even from a single holder — the stock may falter as it tries to gain traction heading into March.
