30 September 2011

Trading update

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

We continue to focus on driving growth through our total tobacco portfolio in EU and non-EU markets. Tobacco net revenues* are expected to be up around 2 per cent with particularly strong performances in our Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of EU regions. Stick equivalent volumes are expected to decline around 2 per cent. Excluding Spain and the impact of a change in timing of a price increase in the UK, Tobacco net revenues are expected to increase by around 3 per cent and stick equivalent volumes to decline by less than 1 per cent.

In Spain, recent price increases will benefit our Tobacco and Logistics operations. These benefits will offset the impact of the change in timing of the UK price increase.

Imperial Tobacco expects to release its results for the year ending 30 September 2011 on Tuesday 1 November 2011.