Reckitt 
Benckiser (LSE: RB) and Unilever (LSE: ULVR) are two of the FTSE 100’s stalwarts and make great additions to any portfolio.
It’s hard to fault the performance of the two groups over the past century and their outperformance only reinforces the argument that Reckitt and Unilever are working for long-term growth. For example, Reckitt has existed in one form or another since the 1800’s, while Unilever has been around in its current form since 1929.
And because of this long-term focus, the two companies are favourites of investment managers around the world. Indeed, Reckitt was a portfolio staple of respected fund manager, Neil Woodford for over a decade, but the respected fund manager recently closed-out his position, citing the company’s high valuation as the reason for selling.
Nevertheless, Woodford remains a fan of Reckitt and since selling has praised the company’s management team, strong product line up and performance during the past decade. Over the past ten years Reckitt’s shares have jumped 283%.
While Reckitt does look slightly expensive on its current valuation — the company trades at a forward P/E of 19.6 — the group’s potential for growth really excites me.
Repositioning
Both Reckitt and Unilever are changing the direction of their businesses.
Re
ckitt for example is repositioning itself as less of a household cleaning company and more as a health- and hygiene-products firm. This is a really attractive move for the company, as these products tend to have a more loyal customer following. What’s more, according to City analysts, hygiene-products generally have higher margins than Reckitt’s traditional cleaning products.
Meanwhile, Unilever is divesting non-core, low-margin food products and other consumer goods, in order to focus on cleaning products. Returns from food products have deteriorated during the past few years, due to rising costs and increasing competition. The sale of these non-core brands should widen Unilever’s profit margins allowing it to generate more cash, pay down debt and acquire more profitable brands in line with the company’s new strategy.
Unilever’s recent non-core divestments include its meat snacks business, the Peperami brand, the Ragu and Bertolli pasta sauces brands and the company’s US Slim Fast brand.
Better balance sheet
Even though both Reckitt and Unilever are repositioning their businesses, Reckitt is the company that has the most potential for growth. You see, as Reckitt transforms itself to a higher margin business, the company will be able to generate more cash to support its already strong balance sheet. A stronger balance sheet will allow Reckitt to acquire additional brands for bolt-on growth.
For example, at the end of 2013 Unilever had a net gearing ratio of 62% and the company could cover its interest payments 14 times with earnings before interest and tax. Reckitt on the other hand had a net gearing ratio of 31%, interest payments were covered 77 times by earnings before interest and tax.
So overall, while Reckitt may look expensive at current levels, the company’s potential for growth makes it look like a much better bet than Unilever.