UK's Reckitt rises after report says Danone eyeing Mead Johnson unit

Reckitt Benckiser

08/04/2026 10:19

Updates

** Shares of British consumer goods maker Reckitt Benckiser RKT.L up 3.3% at 5,330 pence

** Blue-chip FTSE 100 index .FTSE gains 2.3% as Middle East ceasefire sparks
market
 rally

** French political-business newsletter La Lettre reports that Danone DANO.PA is weighing potential acquisition of Reckitt's Mead Johnson infant formula unit

** Danone declined to comment on the report when contacted by Reuters

** DANO down 0.26%

** Reckitt spokesperson said it is continuing to assess all strategic options for the business and did not provide further details

** Berenberg analyst Fulvio Cazzol told Reuters they "certainly wouldn't rule out a potential acquisition for Danone"

** Cazzol said Mead Johnson could be valued at potentially 5.3 billion pounds ($7.11 billion) in a deal, and that the unit would give Danone a greater foothold in the U.S.

** RKT has fallen ~14% so far this year, while FTSE has risen ~6%

($1 = 0.7452 pounds)

 (Reporting by Megha Kumari and Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru)

 ((Megha.Kumari@thomsonreuters.com;))