Reckitt Benckiser PLC's (RB.LN) posted another strong set of results for its fourth quarter Wednesday and unlike rival Unilever PLC (UN UL), forecast another year of robust growth in 2009.

The household cleaning and personal care products maker said net profit in the three months to Dec. 31 was GBP393 million, up from GBP289 million a year earlier. Sales were GBP1.83 billion, up 33%. Stripping out the effect of acquisitions and currency movements, fourth-quarter sales were up 8%, lower than the 10% rise seen in the previous quarter but ahead of expectations.

Underlying operating margin increased 40 basis points in the latest quarter to 28.8%

The maker of a products such as Lysol, Clearasil, Cillit Bang and Senokot also set growth targets for 2009. Stripping out currency fluctuations, it is targeting sales growth of 4% and a rise in post-tax profit before exceptional items of between 8% and 10%. The comparable figures for 2008 are growth of 13% and 12%, respectively.

While the company is forecasting a slowdown in its growth rates, it is at least providing forecasts. Anglo-Dutch rival Unilever PLC (UN UL) last week scrapped its sales and margin targets and refused to provide any outlook for 2009 in the face of the economic uncertainty.

Reckitt has a habit in recent years of setting sales growth targets at the start of the year only to beat them once the year is complete. Last year's underlying sales growth of 10% compares with an original target of 6%-to-7%.

"Reckitt Benckiser had an excellent year in 2008 despite challenging conditions," said Chief Executive Bart Becht in a statement. He said all regions and all major brands contributed to the growth, "supported by significant media investment and successful innovations."

Reckitt's steady performance over 2008 has meant that, unlike rival consumer goods groups, its share price is actually slightly higher than a year ago, despite the economic downturn. The shares closed Tuesday at 2,622 pence, down 3% on the day but 0.6% above the year-ago level.

Company Web site: www.reckittbenckiser.com

-By Michael Carolan, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9278; michael.carolan@dowjones.com