Consumer products giant PZ Cussons is expected clean up in its first half results, which are set to be released Tuesday.

Analysts at Panmure Gordon Research last week forecast a profit before tax growth of 9.7% to £44.1m, driven by a strong recovery in Asia and a move to a variable cost business model in Australia.

"Closely watched will be the commentary on Nigeria, and while we believe that violence in the north has continued, it appears that fuel subsidies have remained unchanged, avoiding the national strikes that crippled the country last January," Panmure said.

The company, which owns Original Source shampoo, Morning Fresh washing up liquid and Imperial Leather soap, earlier this month announced growth plans through acquisitions in 2013.

"We want to grow, but you can't force growth. You have to have the right cost structure to allow you to invest. If you do the simple things in business well, you get rewarded," Chief Executive Alex Kanellist told North West Business Insider.

"We're looking for synergies, but we're also looking for brands which are individual and have a relationship with the consumer that we can build on."

The group's annual profits for 2011/12 more than halved after it was hit by exceptional charges worth £43.8m.

At the time it blamed trading conditions in Nigeria and Australia were affected by high raw material costs.

Shares were down 6.06% to 31.00p at 15:39 Monday.


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