British American Tobacco PLC Trading Statement (9885H)

TIDMBATS

RNS Number : 9885H

British American Tobacco PLC

14 June 2017

14 JUNE 2017

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO p.l.c.

 
 FIRST HALF PRE-CLOSE TRADING UPDATE 2017 
========================================= 
 

In 2014 the requirement for UK listed companies to produce an Interim Management Statement ("IMS") was removed. In July 2016, it was announced that British American Tobacco p.l.c. would no longer publish a quarterly IMS, and would instead issue short trading updates prior to start of the closed periods for the Interim and the Full Year results.

Trading update - ahead of closed period commencing 27 June 2017

   --      The business continues to perform very well and trading is in line with our expectations 
   --      Continued market share growth, driven by the Global Drive Brands (GDBs) 

-- Profit growth expected to be weighted to the second half of the year, due to the phasing of volume

shipments, Next    Generation Product (NGP) investments and marketing spend 

-- First half EPS is expected to benefit from a significant currency translation tailwind of around 14%

The business continues to perform very well, in line with expectations.

First half revenue is expected to benefit from good pricing. As highlighted in February, first half volumes are lapping a strong prior year comparator and will be impacted by the phasing of shipments in a number of key markets, including Pakistan. Full year volume is expected to outperform the industry, which we anticipate will be down around 4%.

We expect our market share to continue to grow, driven by the GDBs.

Trading in our key markets continues to reflect the trends discussed at the Preliminary Results in February with Canada, Romania, Bangladesh and Ukraine performing well and conditions remaining challenging in Brazil, South Africa, Malaysia, France and the UK.

The performance of glo in Sendai, Japan continues to exceed our expectations and we are on track for further Japanese and international rollout in the second half. In vapour, our share growth in Western Europe continues and we are making encouraging progress with the rollout of Vype Pebble. A city test of Vype e-Pen III is on track for Q4.

As previously stated, profit growth is expected to be weighted to the second half of the year, mainly due to the timing of volume shipments, as well as the phasing of NGP investments and marketing spend.

If exchange rates stayed the same for the remainder of the year, there would be an adverse transactional impact on operating profit of 2% for both the first half and the full year. For translation, this would be a tailwind on operating profit of approximately 13% for the half year and 7% for the full year.

First half EPS is expected to benefit from a significant translational foreign exchange tailwind of around 14%.

For further information, please contact:

British American Tobacco Press Office

[phone] (24 hours) | @BATPress

British American Tobacco Investor Relations

Mike Nightingale / Rachael Brierley / Sabina Marshman

[phone] / 1519/ 1781

Disclaimers

This announcement does not constitute an invitation to underwrite, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire or dispose of any British American Tobacco p.l.c. shares or other securities. This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, amongst other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the economic and business circumstances occurring from time to time in the countries and markets in which the Group operates. It is believed that the expectations reflected in this announcement are reasonable but they may be affected by a wide range of variables that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this announcement and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. Nothing in this document should be construed as a profit forecast. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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June 14, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)