Despite volumes remaining static for the past six months, British American Tobacco has posted healthy rises in both profits and total sales.
The maker of Dunhill and Lucky Strike cigarettes said operating profits for the period to 30 June grew by 8% to £2.27bn. Sales grew at a similar rate to just short of £7.3bn.
“In a difficult trading environment, British American Tobacco has had a good first half, with continued revenue growth and a very satisfactory increase in profit from operations,” said chairman Richard Burrows.
Volumes of its four ‘Global Drive’ brands – Dunhill, Pall Mall, Lucky Strike and Kent – grew by 6%, the company said.
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