0746 GMT - Pest-control provider Rentokil Initial's third quarter helps to build conviction that North America's organic growth can rehabilitate toward 5%, Bernstein analysts Will Kirkness and Filippo Giardini say. North America pest control's key line is services revenue, which grew organically by 1.8%, the analysts say. Within that, although non-contract, short-term jobs growth was above trend and contract growth was below, the net gain in contract portfolio was the best it has been in a while, the analysts say. Contract portfolio refers to retention, price and new contract sales. "Pricing is above inflation so that implies that volumes are still negative but the direction of travel sounds good," Bernstein says. Shares are down 0.1% at 440.60 pence and have risen 18% over the past 12 months. (anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 24, 2025 03:46 ET (07:46 GMT)

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