Energy drinks such as Red Bull helped boost trading for can maker Rexam to “encouraging” first-quarter sales.

Rexam, which also makes cans for Coca-Cola and Pepsi, said a combination of higher demand from Europe and South America plus soaring sales of drinks using ‘speciality’ cans – such as energy drinks – had boosted sales.

City analysts tipped the company to post full-year pre-tax profits of around £335m, up from last year’s £285m.

Rexam chief executive Graham Chipchase said the company’s cost-cutting drive was expected to deliver savings of around £24m this year.

“It is still early in the year and trading in the traditionally busy summer season will influence our full-year performance,” said Chipchase.

“Our continued focus on cash generation gives us confidence of improved performance in 2010.”

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