Feb 29 Reuters British consumer healthcare giant Haleon said on Thursday its firstquarter organic revenue growth would slow, citing a tepid cold and flu season and cooling China demand.

Despite price increases, Haleon39;s roster of products has largely kept cheaper privatelabel competition at bay, although the costofliving squeeze and competition among painkiller brands are allowing rivals to catch up.

Demand in China has slowed after a strong rebound last year postCOVID19 a trend that has been echoed by U.S. rival Kenvue, which forecast fullyear profit below analysts39; expectations earlier this month.

In the first quarter of 2023, Haleon39;s organic revenue grew by 9.9, on a 33 jump in sales for its respiratory health products in the cold and flu season.

The company said it expects the overall revenue growth to be just below 4 for the first quarter this year.

The world39;s largest standalone consumer healthcare firm, which reported its first fullyear results since it was spun off from GSK in 2022, said organic revenue would rise between 4 and 6 in 2024 and that adjusted operating profit would be ahead of that range.

Analysts on average expect organic revenue to grow by 4.5 and adjusted operating profit by 7.1, according to a companycompiled consensus.

In 2024, we expect the operating environment to remain challenging. We are confident, however, that we are well positioned to deliver on both guidance for 2024 and over the medium term, CEO Brian McNamara said in…