Sensodyne-maker Haleon posts tepid sales as demand for some products cools off

This post was originally published on this site

The maker of popular household products such as Sensodyne toothpaste and pain-reliever Panadol, had earlier said that the first three months of 2024 would be impacted by a softer cold and flu season and a slowdown in painkiller Advil’s sales in Canada, following a surge in demand last year.

Demand for medicines such as Contac and Fenbid, which benefited from pent-up demand in China last year after lockdown restrictions were lifted have also cooled, impacting Haleon’s quarterly sales growth.

Revenues stood at 2.92 billion pounds ($3.64 billion) for the quarter ended March 31, slightly missing expectations of 2.93 billion pounds, according to a company-compiled consensus.

On a reported basis, revenue was down 2.2% on last year.

Shares in the FTSE 100 group fell 1.8% in early trading, to become one of the top losers on the blue-chip index. The stock has risen about 5% this year as of Tuesday’s close.

Haleon, the world’s biggest standalone consumer health company, comprising assets from GSK and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), sells non-prescription drugs, vitamins and oral care products.

Demand for its oral health products and multivitamins held steady during the reported quarter, and the company re-affirmed its full-year outlook outlined in February.

($1 = 0.8021 pounds)