Reckitt merger reports doubted

Speculation that Reckitt Benckiser, the household cleaning products group, could be close to a merger with Colgate-Palmolive was greeted with scepticism by analysts on Thursday.

Reckitt shares initially gained 3 per cent on the speculation but closed 1 per cent up at £31.40 as analysts said they thought a deal was improbable. Colgate shares fell 2 per cent.