Trading update

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC (Imperial Tobacco) confirms that the anticipated financial performance and position of the Group for the financial year to 30 September 2011 remains in line with the Board's expectations.

As anticipated, first half tobacco net revenues* are expected to increase by around 2 per cent with stick equivalent volumes declining by around 1 per cent. In part this reflects a change in trade buying patterns in the UK which will partially shift volumes from the first to the second half with no overall impact on the full year. 

Spain remains a challenging market due to the December duty increase, the ban on smoking in public places and the ongoing weak economy; we continue to drive portfolio initiatives to capitalise on consumer trends in the market.



We have further grown volumes of our global strategic cigarette brands Davidoff, Gauloises Blondes and West, with particularly good results in our emerging markets. JPS has maintained its excellent performance and we have continued to deliver strong growth in fine cut tobacco volumes.


Imperial Tobacco expects to release its results for the half year ending 31 March 2011 on Tuesday 10 May.



*At constant currency and excluding other income growth in our Moroccan business

Enquiries



Gerry Gallagher (Director of Investor Communications)

Telephone: +44 (0) 117 933 7014

John Nelson-Smith (Investor Relations Manager)
Telephone: +44 (0) 117 933 7032

Alex Parsons (Director of Corporate Communications)

Telephone: +44 (0) 117 933 7241

Simon Evans (Group Press Officer)

Telephone: +44 (0) 117 933 7375

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