Reckitt’s Sales Weighed Down by Cold Drugs, Iran War Fallout

Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc reported weaker-than-expected sales on lackluster demand for its cold and flu medicines in the US and as the conflict in the Middle East hit supplies in the region.

Sales of Reckitt’s top brands including Strepsils lozenges and Dettol cleaning products rose 1.3% in the first quarter, the company said Wednesday, short of the 2.8% expected by analysts. Excluding over-the-counter drugs in the US, growth was 3.1%, driven by strong performance in China.