Imperial Tobacco Says Annual Trading in-Line with Expectations

Source from:  Wednesday, September 19, LONDON, (newratings.com) 09/20/2007

Imperial Tobacco Group Plc (ITB.ETR) Wednesday announced that its fiscal-year trading performance has been in-line with management expectations. The UK tobacco company said it expects volume growth and margin improvement to continue in the second half of the year, ending September 30. The company added that the effect of the smoking ban in pubs enforced in the UK should have a temporary effect on its sales. The company said "strong performances" by its Davidoff, West and John Player Special brands boosted results. Imperial Tobacco said the acquisition of Commonwealth Brands in the US had produced results in-line with expectations. Enditem