PZ Cussons shares rose on Tuesday after the group posted a strong trading update.
In the six months to the end of November, sales jumped 10% to £312.9m thanks to strong sales in handwashing products.
Underlying profit before tax rose 16% to £34.9m. The interim dividend has been kept at 2.67p per share.
Jonathan Myers, the chief excutive of of PZ Cussons, said: “Our focus in the first half of this year has been to deliver a fast start for the business, with emphasis on profitable revenue growth as well as maintaining our strong balance sheet discipline.
“We saw this as essential to reset both in terms of organisational pace and agility to adapt to changing consumer and shopper habits.
“In parallel, we completed our review of the strategy to become a brand-led and consumer-focused organisation, delivering sustainable profitable growth with hygiene, baby and beauty at our core.”