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BTI - British American Tobacco p.l.c. - Interim management statement for the

Release Date: 26/10/2011 08:27
Code(s): BTI
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BTI - British American Tobacco p.l.c. - Interim management statement for the nine months ended 30 September 2011 British American Tobacco p.l.c. Incorporated in England and Wales (Registration number: 03407696) Short name: BATS Share code: BTI ISIN number: GB0002875804 ("British American Tobacco p.l.c." or "the Company") INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2011 * Good organic revenue growth of 7 per cent at constant rates of exchange * Volumes from subsidiaries decreased by 0.6 per cent to 523 billion, organic volumes reduced by 0.4 per cent
* Global Drive Brand volumes grew by 8 per cent Nicandro Durante, Chief Executive, commented "While the challenging economic conditions continued to impact consumers in some markets, other markets are showing signs of recovery. Excise-driven price increases in a few markets will continue to affect industry volumes. However, we have grown our Global Drive Brands and achieved good growth in revenue and profit. We are on track for another year of good earnings growth." SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE Trading update British American Tobacco performed well in the nine months to the end of September 2011 with the Group increasing overall market share across its top 40 markets and with continued growth in the Global Drive Brands. Group volumes were slightly lower than last year as a result of the industry volume decline, although there are signs that this is moderating. Group revenue for the nine months, on an organic basis and at constant rates of exchange, grew by 7 per cent, driven by continued good pricing. Group volumes from subsidiaries were 523 billion, down 0.6 per cent, while organic volumes were 0.4 per cent lower. The benefit to Group volumes from exceptional sales in Japan was offset by industry volume decline following the significant excise-driven price increases in that market last year. The four Global Drive Brands continued their good performance and achieved overall volume growth of 8 per cent. Kent was up 9 per cent, growing in all of its top ten markets, driven by Russia, Romania and Ukraine. Dunhill was only slightly higher than last year with strong performances in many markets, such as the GCC, Taiwan and Brazil, offset by the adverse impact of pricing activity in South Korea. Good performances in Pakistan, Russia, Germany and Romania contributed to a 12 per cent increase in Pall Mall volumes. Lucky Strike was up 9 per cent following good growth in Germany, France, Argentina and Chile. The Group continues to improve its operating margin by addressing the cost base through factory rationalisation, systems standardisation and productivity savings. Trading environment The environment continues to be challenging due to the current economic climate although there are some signs that the impact on volume is moderating. However, the expansion of illicit trade remains a threat, driven by shock excise increases and pressure on consumers` disposable income. In addition, a number of currencies weakened against sterling during the quarter. Cigarette volumes The segmental analysis of the volumes of subsidiaries were as follows: 9 months to Year to 30.09.11 30.09.10 31.12.10 bns bns bns
Asia-Pacific 141 141 188 Americas 105 110 149 Western Europe 100 101 136 EEMEA 177 174 235 523 526 708 CHANGES IN THE GROUP On 26 May 2011, the Group announced that it had agreed to acquire 100 per cent of privately owned Productora Tabacalera de Colombia, S.A.S. (Protabaco), the second largest cigarette company in Colombia, for an enterprise value of US$452 million. The transaction was completed on 12 October 2011 and was financed from internal resources. SHARE BUY-BACK PROGRAMME The Group resumed an on-market share buy-back programme from the beginning of March 2011. During the nine months to 30 September 2011, 23 million shares were bought at a total cost of GBP622 million. SOUTH AFRICAN LISTING The Board welcomes yesterday`s Medium Term Policy Statement that the South African Government has agreed reforms that will allow inward-listed shares on the JSE to be classified as domestic assets and be included in the JSE indices. FINANCIAL POSITION The Group has sufficient financing and facilities available for the foreseeable future and at 30 September 2011 its guaranteed revolving credit facility of GBP2.0 billion was undrawn. The changes in the financing arrangements since the beginning of the financial year were: The repayment in June 2011 of a Euro530 million bond, financed from Group cash balances. In June 2011, the Group established an US$ commercial paper facility and together with the euro commercial paper, GBP364 million of commercial paper was outstanding at 30 September 2011. At 30 September 2010 and at 31 December 2010 the commercial paper programme was undrawn. There have been no material events, transactions or change in the financial position of the Group since the year end, other than as outlined in this statement. Further, the Board is not aware of any material events, transactions or change in the financial position of the Group which have occurred up to and including 25 October 2011, being the latest practicable date before the date of the publication of this Interim Management Statement. On behalf of the Board Nicola Snook Secretary 25 October 2011 NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION British American Tobacco is the world`s second largest quoted tobacco group by global market share, with brands sold in more than 180 markets. We have four Global Drive Brands - Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall - and over 300 brands in our portfolio. We hold robust market positions in each of our regions and have leadership positions in more than 50 markets. Disclaimers This Interim Management Statement (IMS) relates to the nine months ended 30 September 2011 and contains information that covers the nine months and the period since the third quarter end to 25 October 2011, being the latest practicable date before the date of the publication of this IMS. 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 IMS contains certain forward looking statements which are subject to risk factors associated with, among other things, 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 which 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. Distribution of this Interim Management Statement (IMS) The IMS is released to the London Stock Exchange and the JSE Limited. It may be viewed and downloaded from our website, www.bat.com Copies of the IMS may also be obtained during normal business hours from: (1) the Company`s registered office; (2) the Company`s representative office in South Africa; and (3) British American Tobacco Publications, details of which are given below. FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2012 23 February Preliminary Statement 26 April Annual General Meeting and Interim Management Statement 25 July Half-Yearly Report 24 October Interim Management Statement CORPORATE INFORMATION Premium listing London Stock Exchange (Share Code: BATS; ISIN: GB0002875804) Computershare Investor Services PLC The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZZ, UK tel: 0800 408 0094; +44 (0)870 889 3159 Share dealing tel: 0870 703 0084 (UK only) your account: www.computershare.com/uk/investor/bri share dealing: www.computershare.com/dealing/uk web-based enquiries: www.investorcentre.co.uk/contactus Secondary listing JSE (Share Code: BTI) Shares are traded in electronic form only and transactions settled electronically through Strate. Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Ltd PO Box 61051, Marshalltown 2107, South Africa tel: 0861 100 925; +27 11 870 8222 email enquiries: web.queries@computershare.co.za American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) NYSE Amex Equities (Symbol: BTI; CUSIP Number: 110448107; ISIN: US1104481072) Sponsored ADR programme; each ADR represents two ordinary shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. Citibank Shareholder Services PO Box 43077 Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3077, USA tel: 1-888-985-2055 (toll-free) or +1 781 575 4555 email enquiries: Citibank@shareholders-online.com website: www.citi.com/dr Publications British American Tobacco Publications Unit 80, London Industrial Park, Roding Road, London E6 6LS, UK tel: +44 (0)20 7511 7797; facsimile: +44 (0)20 7540 4326 email enquiries: bat@team365.co.uk or Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Ltd in South Africa using the contact details shown above. British American Tobacco p.l.c. Registered office Globe House 4 Temple Place London WC2R 2PG tel: +44 (0)20 7845 1000 British American Tobacco p.l.c. Representative office in South Africa 34 Alexander Street Stellenbosch 7600 South Africa (PO Box 631, Cape Town 8000, South Africa) tel: +27 (0)21 888 3722 ENQUIRIES: INVESTOR RELATIONS: PRESS OFFICE: Ralph +44 (0)20 Kate Matrunola/ +44 (0)20 Edmondson/ 7845 1180 Catherine Armstrong 7845 2888 Mike +44 (0)20 Nightingale/ 7845 1206 Maya Farhat/ +44 (0)20 Rachael 7845 1977 Brierley +44 (0)20 7845 1519
26 October 2011 Sponsor: UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd Date: 26/10/2011 08:27:01 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.

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