Harpic-to-Haze group Reckitt Benckiser said it was on track to hit final targets as demand for its goods remained buoyant.

The firm said second-quarter net revenue growth was forecast to be about five per cent at constant exchange rates or six per cent for the whole of the first half.

Trading was led by strong performances in western Europe and North America, which offset tougher conditions in developing markets.

Net profitability was also forecast to be up after gross margins were lifted by an improved product mix and favour-able raw material prices.

Chief executive Bart Becht said: "We are on track to deliver on our full-year target of net revenue growth of four per cent to six per cent at constant exchange and net income growth at the upper end of our 12 per cent to 15 per cent range."

But it was not all plain sailing and the group said weak currencies, in Latin America, South Africa and India in particular, would trim more than two per cent off second-quarter net revenues.

Reckitt Benckiser, which has about 1,300 employees in the UK out of 23,000 worldwide, was formed in 1999 through the merger of Reckitt and Coleman with Dutch firm Benckiser.

As well as detergent Harpic and air freshener Haze, brands include the polish Brasso, Finish dishwasher powder, the Vanish cleaning range, painkiller Disprin, cold and 'flu treatment Lemsip, hair remover Immac and French's mustard.

Last year, the group reported final pre-tax profits of £498 million on turnover of £3.44 billion.

Most analysts are forecasting pre-tax profits of £537 million this year.

Mr Becht was updating the City ahead of Reckitt Benckiser's results for the six months to the end of last month, due out in late August.