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Rentokil Initial Plc (GB:RTO)
LSE:RTO

Rentokil Initial (RTO) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:RTO

Rentokil Initial

(LSE:RTO)

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Outperform 74 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:74Outperform
Price Target:
476.00p
▲(10.75% Upside)
Rentokil Initial's overall stock score is driven by strong technical analysis and positive corporate events, which indicate robust market momentum and strategic focus. However, the high P/E ratio suggests potential overvaluation, and financial performance highlights challenges in profitability and cash flow sustainability.
Positive Factors
Business Model Strength
The contractual revenue model ensures a stable and predictable income stream, enhancing financial stability and supporting long-term growth.
Market Position
A strong global presence and leadership position in key markets provide competitive advantages and opportunities for sustained growth.
Gross Profit Margin
High gross margins indicate effective cost control and pricing power, contributing to profitability and competitive positioning.
Negative Factors
Net Profit Margin Decline
A declining net profit margin suggests challenges in managing expenses or increased interest costs, potentially impacting future profitability.
Negative Free Cash Flow Growth
Negative free cash flow growth indicates potential challenges in sustaining cash flow from operations, affecting financial flexibility.
Revenue Growth Challenges
Slower revenue growth may indicate market saturation or competitive pressures, limiting future expansion opportunities.

Rentokil Initial (RTO) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

Rentokil Initial Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionRentokil Initial plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides route-based services in North America, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and internationally. It offers a range of pest control services for rodents, and flying and crawling insects, as well as other forms of wildlife management for commercial and residential customers. The company also provides hygiene services, including the provision and maintenance of products, such as soap and hand sanitizer dispensers, hand dryers, air care and purification, cubicle and surface sanitizers, feminine hygiene units, toilet paper dispensers, and floor protection mats. In addition, it engages in the supply and laundering of workwear, uniforms, cleanroom uniforms, and protective equipment. Further, the company installs and services interior and exterior plant displays, flowers, replica foliage, Christmas decorations, and ambient scenting for commercial businesses; offers property care services consisting of damp proofing, property conservation, and woodworm and wood rot treatment; and provides a range of specialist cleaning services, such as graffiti removal deep cleaning of kitchens and washrooms, trauma cleaning, and flood or fire damage cleaning, as well as specialist industrial cleaning and disinfection services, including the professional and discreet disinfection of areas that have been exposed to bio-hazardous situations, such as crime and trauma scenes, prison cells, void properties, emergency vehicles, and healthcare establishments. Additionally, it offers a range of healthcare waste management services comprising the collection, disposal, and recycling of hazardous and offensive waste produced by businesses and organizations associated with the provision of healthcare; and color-coded sharps disposal bins to deal with various types of waste. Rentokil Initial plc was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Crawley, the United Kingdom.
How the Company Makes MoneyRentokil Initial generates revenue primarily through its pest control and hygiene services. The company operates a subscription-based model for many of its services, which ensures a steady stream of recurring revenue from long-term contracts with businesses and residential customers. Key revenue streams include pest control services, where technicians provide ongoing monitoring and treatment solutions, and hygiene services, which encompass washroom maintenance, air care products, and infection prevention measures. Additionally, the company benefits from partnerships with various organizations and industries that require comprehensive pest management and hygiene solutions, further enhancing its earning potential. Factors such as the rising demand for pest control in urban areas, increased awareness of hygiene practices due to health concerns, and the expansion into emerging markets also contribute significantly to Rentokil Initial's financial performance.

Rentokil Initial Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Mar 06, 2025
(Q4-2024)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 05, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted significant international growth and improvements in customer and colleague retention. However, North American operations faced challenges with low organic growth and weak lead flow, impacting overall performance. The decline in operating profit and the need for better investment strategies were notable concerns.
Q4-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
International Revenue Growth
The International business delivered revenue growth of 8.2%, with organic revenue contributing 4.7%. Pest Control organic growth in International markets was strong at 5.3%.
Customer and Colleague Retention
Customer retention improved by 60 basis points to over 81% in each month of Q4 2024, and colleague retention increased by 4.2% in North America, with Terminix colleague retention up by 13.9% since integration began.
Record High Customer Satisfaction
In 2024, an increase in Net Promoter Score and improved customer satisfaction levels were achieved, with customer retention rising by 50 basis points.
Successful Integration Efforts
The integration process is progressing well, with over 250 branches now operating on unified systems, and 15% of the Terminix branch network fully integrated.
Negative Updates
North American Organic Growth Challenges
North America underperformed with only 1.3% growth, and organic growth in North American Pest Control was a mere 1.5%.
Decline in Operating Profit
Adjusted operating profit decreased by 7.1% to GBP 860 million, with a corresponding margin reduction of 130 basis points.
Weak Lead Flow and Sales Challenges
Ongoing weak lead flow and sales conversion issues persisted, particularly affecting Q1 2025 performance expectations.
Impact of Inflation and Investment Ineffectiveness
Investment efforts in 2024 did not drive optimal effectiveness, leading to a need to redirect funds in 2025.
Company Guidance
The call highlighted several key financial metrics and strategic goals for Rentokil Initial in 2024 and plans for 2025. The company reported a revenue of GBP 5.6 billion for 2024, indicating a 3.9% growth, with an organic revenue increase of 2.8%. The International segment saw an 8.2% revenue increase, largely driven by strong pest control growth of 5.3%. Notably, customer retention improved to over 80%, and colleague retention rose by 2.4%. In North America, the business underperformed with only 1.3% growth, but operational adjustments are underway including the integration of 58 branch systems and the opening of 10 satellite branches. For 2025, Rentokil aims to enhance lead generation, sales conversion, and expand its branch network to over 500 locations. The company expects operating profit margins in North America to exceed 20% by 2027, supported by cost synergies and strategic marketing efforts. Free cash flow for 2024 was GBP 410 million, with a cash conversion rate of 80%, and the company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet with a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 2.9x. Rentokil also plans to continue its progressive dividend policy with a proposed final dividend of 5.93 pence per share.

Rentokil Initial Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Rentokil Initial shows strong revenue growth and effective cost management, with high gross profit margins. However, declining net profit margins and negative free cash flow growth indicate challenges in expense management and cash flow sustainability. The balance sheet is healthy with moderate debt and a good equity ratio, supporting financial stability.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Rentokil Initial has demonstrated a consistent growth in revenue from 2019 to 2024, with a notable revenue growth rate of 1.13% from 2023 to 2024. The gross profit margin is impressive at 83.91% in 2024, indicating strong cost control. However, the net profit margin has declined to 5.65% in 2024, down from 7.09% in 2023, reflecting potential challenges in managing expenses or increased interest costs.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet shows a stable equity base with stockholders' equity increasing to 4,229 million in 2024. The debt-to-equity ratio is 0.97, indicating a moderate level of leverage. The return on equity is 7.26%, reflecting a decent return for shareholders. The equity ratio remains healthy at 40.06%, suggesting financial stability.
Cash Flow
68
Positive
Operating cash flow has decreased slightly from 737 million in 2023 to 678 million in 2024, indicating some pressure on cash generation. The free cash flow to net income ratio stands at 1.51, suggesting good cash profitability. However, the free cash flow growth rate is negative at -11.99%, pointing to potential challenges in sustaining cash flow from operations or increased capital expenditures.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.41B5.44B5.38B3.71B2.95B2.79B
Gross Profit535.50M4.56B1.50B977.00M714.80M653.00M
EBITDA698.00M1.10B1.16B747.00M676.80M586.50M
Net Income205.00M307.00M381.00M232.00M263.00M186.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets14.23B10.55B11.13B11.92B4.32B5.84B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.69B911.00M1.56B2.09B597.90M2.34B
Total Debt6.08B4.11B4.73B5.40B1.93B3.40B
Total Liabilities8.97B6.33B7.04B7.82B3.06B4.71B
Stockholders Equity5.27B4.23B4.09B4.10B1.26B1.13B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow475.50M463.00M526.00M410.00M403.30M391.70M
Operating Cash Flow616.50M678.00M737.00M600.00M563.20M544.20M
Investing Cash Flow-362.09M-373.00M-416.00M-1.20B-441.10M-327.00M
Financing Cash Flow-312.78M-752.00M-361.00M1.32B-417.10M62.20M

Rentokil Initial Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price429.80
Price Trends
50DMA
414.68
Positive
100DMA
390.78
Positive
200DMA
367.07
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
5.52
Negative
RSI
62.16
Neutral
STOCH
76.45
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:RTO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 429.8 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 416.57, above the 50-day MA of 414.68, and above the 200-day MA of 367.07, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 5.52 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 62.16 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 76.45 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for GB:RTO.

Rentokil Initial Risk Analysis

Rentokil Initial disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Rentokil Initial reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Rentokil Initial Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
£521.59M15.5912.46%3.11%6.55%18.44%
76
Outperform
£2.11B21.2520.62%2.59%11.42%-17.18%
74
Outperform
£10.75B42.065.93%1.73%-1.58%-34.64%
74
Outperform
£6.95B20.0729.71%3.56%1.14%17.74%
73
Outperform
£2.50B52.875.21%1.38%0.84%-62.73%
66
Neutral
£380.65M40.524.01%2.12%6.90%145.00%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:RTO
Rentokil Initial
427.80
35.27
8.99%
GB:ITRK
Intertek
4,524.00
-38.48
-0.84%
GB:JSG
Johnson Service
137.20
2.60
1.93%
GB:MTO
Mitie Group plc
166.00
58.79
54.84%
GB:RST
Restore
278.00
39.54
16.58%
GB:SRP
Serco Group plc
252.20
116.92
86.43%

Rentokil Initial Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Rentokil Initial Reports Positive Q3 2025 Revenue Growth
Positive
Oct 23, 2025

Rentokil Initial reported a 4.6% increase in Group Revenues for the third quarter of 2025, driven by organic growth and strategic initiatives in North America and international markets. The company maintained strong performance in pest control and hygiene services, with a focus on improving sales execution, digital marketing, and cost efficiency. The sale of its France Workwear business was completed, contributing to a reduction in net debt, while the company continues to expect financial results in line with market expectations for the year.

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Rentokil Initial Sells France Workwear Business to H.I.G. Capital
Positive
Sep 30, 2025

Rentokil Initial has completed the sale of its France Workwear business to H.I.G. Capital for an enterprise value of €410 million. This strategic move allows Rentokil Initial to focus on its core pest control and hygiene & wellbeing services, enhancing cash generation and capital efficiency while reducing annual capital expenditure.

DividendsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Rentokil Initial CEO Acquires Shares via Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Positive
Sep 25, 2025

Rentokil Initial plc announced that its Chief Executive, Andy Ransom, acquired 8,997 ordinary shares through the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) at a price of £3.616967 per share. This transaction, conducted on the London Stock Exchange, reflects a reinforcement of confidence in the company’s financial strategies and market position, potentially impacting stakeholder perceptions positively.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Rentokil Initial Director Joins BAE Systems Board
Positive
Sep 24, 2025

John Pettigrew, the Senior Independent Director at Rentokil Initial, has been appointed as a non-executive director on the board of BAE Systems plc, effective from February 23, 2026. This appointment may enhance Rentokil Initial’s strategic connections and influence within the industry, potentially impacting its market positioning and stakeholder relations.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 07, 2025