Oct 29(Reuters) – British consumer health company Haleon cut its annual organic revenue growth forecast on Thursday after weak demand for cold medicines and a regulatory setback in China weighed on sales.
• The maker of Advil painkillers and Sensodyne toothpaste now expects full-year organic revenue growth of around 2.5%, down sharply from its prior forecast of 3% to 5%
• Analysts had forecast organic revenue growth of 3.2% for 2026, according to a company-compiled poll
• Organic revenue for the three months ended September 30 rose 2.6%, also missing market estimates of 3.2% as weaker cough, cold and flu consumption hit orders in North America, its largest market
• Sales in China were hurt by a change in raw material classifications that affected imports of over-the-counter Centrum multivitamins, forcing Haleon to suspend shipments of the products
• Haleon flagged a £15 million to £20 million hit to its fourth-quarter net revenue from plans to accelerate a new go-to-market model in Brazil to coincide with the country’s new tax framework
• Oral Health remained a bright spot, with sales rising 8.8% on strong demand for Sensodyne and parodontax, while emerging markets grew 5.1%, led by India
(Reporting by Simone Lobo and Raechel Thankam Job in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Subhranshu Sahu)
