About Rentokil Initial plc (RTO)
Rentokil Initial plc is a Specialty Business Services company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Crawley, United Kingdom. RTO has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Rentokil Initial plc (RTO) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Specialty Business Services industry within the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Crawley, United Kingdom and employs approximately 63,400 people. With a market capitalization of £12 billion, RTO is a large established company.
RTO trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £12 billion. The company employs approximately 63,400 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £487.50
- Market Cap
- £12.27B
- 52-Week High
- £493.90
- 52-Week Low
- £306.00
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Specialty Business Services
RTO Investment Performance
RTO has gained 8.9% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in RTO would have grown to £1,002, representing a 0.2% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £23,701.
£1,000 Invested in Rentokil Initial plc (RTO)
How much would £1,000 invested in RTO be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in RTO 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Rentokil Initial plc (RTO) in 2025 would be worth £1,450 as of March 2026, representing a +45.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in RTO 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Rentokil Initial plc (RTO) in 2023 would be worth £892 as of March 2026, representing a -10.8% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in RTO 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Rentokil Initial plc (RTO) in 2021 would be worth £1,002 as of March 2026, representing a +0.2% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in RTO 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Rentokil Initial plc (RTO) in 2016 would be worth £2,786 as of March 2026, representing a +178.6% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in RTO at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Rentokil Initial plc (RTO) at IPO would be worth £23,701 as of March 2026, representing a +2270.1% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 37+ years (452 months), Rentokil Initial plc (RTO) has averaged a monthly return of +1.07% with a median return of +1.42%. The stock had 259 positive months (57%) and 188 negative months (42%). The best month in RTO's history was April 2009 with a +47.8% return, while the worst was October 2008 at -34.8%. Historically, December tends to be the strongest month (averaging +3.7%), and October the weakest (-0.4%).
RTO's longest winning streak was 10 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 5 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2009 with a cumulative return of +111.5%, and the worst was 2008 at -75.6%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Rentokil Initial plc (RTO) has delivered an average annual return of +14.88% with a median return of +12.09%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +8.41%. The stock posted gains in 26 years (68%) and losses in 12 years (32%).
RTO's best year was 2009 with a +162.73% gain, while the worst was 2008 at -63.58%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 10, and the longest losing streak was 3 years. RTO achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 21 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 10 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +8.94% | £447.50 | £487.50 |
| 2025 | +11.68% | £400.70 | £447.50 |
| 2024 | -9.06% | £440.60 | £400.70 |
| 2023 | -13.22% | £507.71 | £440.60 |
| 2022 | -13.00% | £583.59 | £507.71 |
| 2021 | +14.62% | £509.17 | £583.59 |
| 2020 | +12.49% | £452.62 | £509.17 |
| 2019 | +34.36% | £336.87 | £452.62 |
| 2018 | +6.05% | £317.65 | £336.87 |
| 2017 | +43.13% | £221.93 | £317.65 |
| 2016 | +39.51% | £159.08 | £221.93 |
| 2015 | +31.35% | £121.11 | £159.08 |
| 2014 | +4.77% | £115.59 | £121.11 |
| 2013 | +20.97% | £95.56 | £115.59 |
| 2012 | +52.87% | £62.51 | £95.56 |
| 2011 | -35.35% | £96.68 | £62.51 |
| 2010 | -16.18% | £115.34 | £96.68 |
| 2009 | +162.73% | £43.90 | £115.34 |
| 2008 | -63.58% | £120.55 | £43.90 |
| 2007 | -27.03% | £165.20 | £120.55 |
| 2006 | +1.42% | £162.88 | £165.20 |
| 2005 | +10.71% | £147.13 | £162.88 |
| 2004 | -22.21% | £189.13 | £147.13 |
| 2003 | -13.61% | £218.93 | £189.13 |
| 2002 | -20.27% | £274.61 | £218.93 |
| 2001 | +19.51% | £229.78 | £274.61 |
| 2000 | +2.35% | £224.50 | £229.78 |
| 1999 | -50.16% | £450.44 | £224.50 |
| 1998 | +70.96% | £263.48 | £450.44 |
| 1997 | +20.74% | £218.22 | £263.48 |
| 1996 | +31.06% | £166.50 | £218.22 |
| 1995 | +46.31% | £113.80 | £166.50 |
| 1994 | -4.97% | £119.75 | £113.80 |
| 1993 | +14.78% | £104.33 | £119.75 |
| 1992 | +38.89% | £75.12 | £104.33 |
| 1991 | +71.82% | £43.72 | £75.12 |
| 1990 | +16.71% | £37.46 | £43.72 |
| 1989 | +65.35% | £22.66 | £37.46 |
RTO Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Rentokil Initial plc as an investment
Valuation
RTO currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 54.2, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 20.3 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 298.0. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.8.
Dividends
Rentokil Initial plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 1.90%. This translates to £0.09 per share annually. The payout ratio of 1% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
RTO has a beta of 0.49, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £306.00 to £493.90, and it currently trades near its 52-week high.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 17 analyst opinions, RTO has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of £514.65 suggests 5.6% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: RTO
What sector is RTO in? ▼
RTO operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Specialty Business Services industry.
How has RTO performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, RTO has posted gains in 26 years (68% of the time). The best year was 2009 with a +162.7% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in RTO? ▼
You can invest in RTO through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold RTO.
Does RTO pay dividends? ▼
Rentokil Initial plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 1.90%. This translates to £0.09 per share annually. The payout ratio of 1% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Rentokil Initial plc do? ▼
Rentokil Initial plc is a Specialty Business Services company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Crawley, United Kingdom.
What sector is RTO in? ▼
RTO operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Specialty Business Services industry.
When did RTO go public? ▼
Rentokil Initial plc went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in RTO 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in RTO five years ago would be worth approximately £1,002 today, representing a 0.2% return.
Does RTO pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Rentokil Initial plc pays a dividend with a current yield of 1.90%, which is £0.09 per share annually.
What is RTO's market cap? ▼
Rentokil Initial plc has a market capitalization of £12 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is RTO's P/E ratio? ▼
RTO has a trailing P/E ratio of 54.2 and a forward P/E of 20.3, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is RTO a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 17 opinions, RTO has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is £514.65.
Last updated: 3/14/2026