Oct 22 (Reuters) - Consumer goods group Reckitt

beat third-quarter like-for-like net sales growth expectations

on Wednesday and retained its overall 2025 outlook, helped by

strength in emerging markets and a return to growth in Europe

and North America.

The maker of Durex condoms and Lysol cleaning products

reported total group like-for-like net revenue growth of 7% for

the quarter ended September 30, compared with 6.4% expected in a

company-compiled consensus.

It maintained its 2025 revenue outlook for like-for-like net

revenue growth of above 4% for its core business, which excludes

Essential Home and Mead Johnson, and 3% to 4% for the group

overall.

"These results reflect sequential volume improvements and

the strength of our Powerbrands," CEO Kris Licht said in a

statement.

Reckitt, which had announced the sale of its Essential Home

business to private equity firm Advent for $4.8 billion in July,

said it continues to expect to complete that disposal by this

year-end.