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Rentokil Initial Plc (GB:RTO)
LSE:RTO
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Rentokil Initial (RTO) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:RTO

Rentokil Initial

(LSE:RTO)

Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
390.00p
▲(7.35% Upside)
Rentokil Initial's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance with robust revenue growth and cost management, but is tempered by challenges in profitability and cash flow sustainability. Technical indicators suggest a neutral trend, while valuation metrics indicate the stock may be overvalued. The earnings call provided mixed signals, with international growth offset by North American challenges.
Positive Factors
International Business Performance
The international business is solid with 4.7% organic growth and a 19.3% adjusted operating margin.
Leadership
The appointment of two new Non-Executive Directors adds leadership experience in multi-site B2B and B2C companies, enhancing the Board's expertise.
Valuation
The shares look 'cheap' compared to history and other 'Quality' names in the sector and closest peer Rollins, at 18x 2025e P/E.
Negative Factors
Executive Turnover
There has been significant churn at the top of the organization, with key executives like the group CFO and CEO of North America leaving within the past year.
Integration Challenges
Uncertainties from the large integration of Terminix to manage alongside the group's plan to reinvigorate US organic growth cannot rule out further downside risk to estimates through 2025.
Lead Generation Issues
Management has noted that inbound customer leads have not improved, hindering organic growth recovery.

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, which are offered on a contractual basis or as one-off service calls. The company's revenue model is driven by recurring service contracts, where customers pay for ongoing pest management and hygiene solutions, providing a stable and predictable income stream. Key revenue streams include residential pest control, commercial pest management, washroom hygiene services, and disinfection services, particularly following increased demand due to health and safety concerns. Additionally, Rentokil Initial benefits from strategic partnerships with businesses and organizations that require integrated pest management and hygiene solutions, further enhancing its earnings potential. The company also invests in technology and innovation to improve service efficiency and effectiveness, contributing to customer retention and growth in revenue.

Rentokil Initial Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 31, 2025
(Q4-2024)
|
% Change Since: 5.69%|
Next Earnings Date:Feb 26, 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 robust revenue growth and strong gross profit margins, indicating effective cost management. However, the declining net profit margin and negative free cash flow growth are concerning, suggesting challenges in expense management and cash flow sustainability. The balance sheet is stable with moderate debt levels, 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.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue5.44B5.38B3.71B2.95B2.79B
Gross Profit4.56B1.50B977.00M714.80M653.00M
EBITDA1.10B1.16B747.00M676.80M586.50M
Net Income307.00M381.00M232.00M263.00M186.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets10.55B11.13B11.92B4.32B5.84B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments911.00M1.56B2.09B597.90M2.34B
Total Debt4.11B4.73B5.40B1.93B3.40B
Total Liabilities6.33B7.04B7.82B3.06B4.71B
Stockholders Equity4.23B4.09B4.10B1.26B1.13B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow463.00M526.00M410.00M403.30M391.70M
Operating Cash Flow678.00M737.00M600.00M563.20M544.20M
Investing Cash Flow-373.00M-416.00M-1.20B-441.10M-327.00M
Financing Cash Flow-752.00M-361.00M1.32B-417.10M62.20M

Rentokil Initial Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price363.30
Price Trends
50DMA
353.37
Positive
100DMA
347.94
Positive
200DMA
363.71
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
3.92
Positive
RSI
52.06
Neutral
STOCH
28.23
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:RTO, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 363.3 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 363.32, above the 50-day MA of 353.37, and below the 200-day MA of 363.71, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 3.92 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 52.06 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 28.23 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral 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 (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
£7.26B20.6429.71%3.34%1.14%17.74%
77
Outperform
£2.31B48.095.21%1.33%0.84%-62.73%
76
Outperform
£556.51M16.3212.12%2.83%10.34%33.59%
74
Outperform
£1.90B17.7523.48%2.96%14.34%-16.43%
67
Neutral
£358.74M38.194.01%2.00%6.90%
66
Neutral
£9.08B35.515.93%2.05%-1.58%-34.64%
60
Neutral
kr42.58B13.501.95%2.32%-0.60%-20.68%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:RTO
Rentokil Initial
363.30
-108.02
-22.92%
GB:ITRK
Intertek
4,690.00
82.00
1.78%
GB:JSG
Johnson Service
141.20
-11.98
-7.82%
GB:MTO
Mitie Group plc
145.00
25.41
21.25%
GB:RST
Restore
264.50
5.34
2.06%
GB:SRP
Serco Group plc
229.80
60.96
36.11%

Rentokil Initial Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Rentokil Initial Reports Solid H1 2025 Performance and Strategic Progress
Positive
Jul 31, 2025

Rentokil Initial reported a solid performance for the first half of 2025, with a 3.1% increase in group revenue and a strong free cash flow conversion rate of 93%. The company is seeing positive results from its sales and marketing initiatives in North America, particularly in organic lead generation, and plans to continue its integration efforts to achieve cost reductions and improve operating margins. Despite some declines in operating profit and basic EPS, the company’s strategic focus on organic growth and integration is expected to align with market expectations for the year.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:RTO) stock is a Buy with a £520.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rentokil Initial stock, see the GB:RTO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Rentokil Initial Announces Change in Major Holdings
Neutral
Jul 10, 2025

Rentokil Initial PLC has announced a change in the nature of its holdings due to security lending, with GIC Private Limited now holding a 6.5% stake in the company. This adjustment in voting rights reflects a slight increase from previous holdings, indicating a strategic move by GIC to strengthen its influence within Rentokil Initial, potentially impacting the company’s governance and decision-making processes.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:RTO) stock is a Buy with a £6.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rentokil Initial stock, see the GB:RTO Stock Forecast page.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Rentokil Initial Announces Total Voting Rights Update
Neutral
Jul 1, 2025

Rentokil Initial plc has announced that as of June 30, 2025, its issued share capital consists of 2,526,039,885 ordinary shares, each carrying one voting right. This update is crucial for shareholders to determine their interests in the company’s share capital under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:RTO) stock is a Buy with a £6.40 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rentokil Initial stock, see the GB:RTO Stock Forecast page.

Other
Rentokil Initial Director Invests in Company Shares
Positive
Jun 3, 2025

Rentokil Initial plc announced that Sally Johnson, a Non-Executive Director, purchased 3,567 ordinary shares of the company at a price of £3.5085 per share on June 2, 2025. This transaction, conducted on the London Stock Exchange, reflects a personal investment by a key managerial figure, potentially signaling confidence in the company’s future performance.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:RTO) stock is a Buy with a £6.40 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rentokil Initial stock, see the GB:RTO Stock Forecast page.

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Rentokil Initial to Sell France Workwear Business to H.I.G. Capital
Positive
May 28, 2025

Rentokil Initial plc has announced the intended sale of its France Workwear business to H.I.G. Capital for approximately €410 million, with completion expected in Q4 2025. This move allows Rentokil Initial to streamline its operations, focusing more on its core pest control and hygiene & wellbeing sectors, enhancing capital efficiency, and improving cash flow. The transaction aligns with the company’s strategy to concentrate on high-growth markets and reduce capital expenditure, while the proceeds will be used for corporate purposes including deleveraging and investment in growth opportunities.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:RTO) stock is a Buy with a £6.40 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rentokil Initial stock, see the GB:RTO Stock Forecast page.

DividendsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Rentokil Initial CEO Increases Stake through Dividend Reinvestment
Positive
May 19, 2025

Rentokil Initial plc announced that its CEO, Andy Ransom, acquired 17,753 ordinary shares through the company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan, with each share priced at £3.4706. This transaction, conducted on the London Stock Exchange, reflects a significant investment by a key executive, potentially indicating confidence in the company’s future performance and stability.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:RTO) stock is a Buy with a £6.40 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rentokil Initial stock, see the GB:RTO Stock Forecast page.

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: Aug 19, 2025