BATS Finals

[idpickering]

YEAR HIGHLIGHTS


"•

The Group's cigarette market share1 in its Key Markets2 continued to grow very strongly, up 50 basis points (bps). This was driven by another excellent performance by our Global Drive Brand (GDB) portfolio with volume up 7.5% and market share increasing 100 bps.


•

Group cigarette volume grew 0.2% to 665 billion, with a 0.8% decline on an organic basis outperforming the industry, which was estimated to decline by around 3.0%. Total tobacco volume was 0.1% higher than 2015.


•

Group revenue was up 12.6% at current rates, partly reflecting the translational tailwind as a result of the relative weakness of sterling. Revenue grew 6.9% at constant rates and was 5.3% up on an organic basis.


•

Adjusted Group profit from operations increased 9.8% at current rates, or by 4.1% at constant rates of exchange. Excluding the adverse impact of exchange movements on a transactional level, adjusted Group profit at constant rates, would have increased by approximately 10%.


•

Profit from operations, at current rates of exchange, was 2.2% higher at £4,655 million.


•

Without the adverse transactional impact of foreign exchange and the impact from acquisitions, operating margin would have improved by around 160 bps. On a reported basis, it fell 90 bps to 37.2%.


•

Adjusted diluted earnings per share, at current rates, was up 18.8% at 247.5p. At constant rates of exchange, it increased 10.4% despite the transactional headwinds from foreign exchange.


•

Basic earnings per share was up 8.4% at 250.2p (2015: 230.9p), resulting from the improved operating performance and foreign exchange tailwind.


•

The Group's vapour business grew to become the world's largest, outside of the US, and we successfully launched our Tobacco Heating Product, gloTM, in Japan.


•

On 17 January 2017, the Group announced the agreed terms of a recommended offer for the acquisition of the remaining 57.8% of Reynolds American Inc. (Reynolds American) not already owned by the Group. We expect the transaction to close in Q3 2017, subject to obtaining the relevant approvals.


•

The Board has recommended a final dividend of 118.1p, to be paid on 4 May 2017. This will take the 2016 total dividend to 169.4p per share, an increase of 10.0%."

And later on;

DIVIDENDS



"Recommendation

The Board recommends a final dividend of 118.1p per ordinary share of 25p for the year ended 31 December 2016. If approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 26 April 2017, the final dividend will be payable on 4 May 2017 to shareholders registered on either the UK main register or the South Africa branch register on 17 March 2017 (the record date)."

http://www.investegate.co.uk/british-am ... 00116106X/

[Dod1010]

No disappointments there. Excellent results.

Dod

[idpickering]

No disappointments there. Excellent results.

Dod

Agreed Dod. They're a mainstay in my HYP, held since 20 Jan 07, bought @ 1503p. A couple more top ups since, and no sells. They form 4.9% of my HYP in value terms, and alongside IMB, tobacco form 10.2% in value of the HYP whole.

Ian.