Rentokil reiterates full year guidance

In a trading update released on Thursday, the FTSE 250 group said revenue in the nine months to the end of September was flat from the previous year at $1.29bn (£0.84bn), although it grew 4.3% year-on-year on a constant currency basis.

In the third quarter, revenue slid 0.4% year-on-year to $438m, although it was up 4.1% in constant currencies.

The group said growth had been robust in its emerging and growth divisions, although that was offset by weakness in its protect and enhance and manage for value businesses.

In terms of individual markets, Rentokil reported strong performances in the UK, Asia Pacific, Latin America and North America, while revenue in Europe remained flat year-on-year due to the negative impact of poor conditions in France and in the Netherlands.

“The performance in the majority of the group continues to be strong although trading in Europe, France in particular, remains challenging,” said group chief executive Andy Ransom.

“Our guidance for the full year is unchanged."

Rentokil shares were down 0.45% to 154.40p at 1026 GMT on Thursday.