PRESS RELEASE
27 JULY 2017
Half-year Report to 30 June 2017
A good performance with strong strategic momentum
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KEY FINANCIALS
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Six听Months Results - unaudited
| 听 | 2017 Current rates |
2017 Constant rates |
2016 | Change Current rates |
Change Constant rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 拢7,717尘 |
拢6,901尘 |
拢6,669尘 |
+15.7% |
+3.5% |
| Adjusted Revenue* | 拢7,648尘 | 拢6,838尘 | 拢6,669尘 | +14.7% | +2.5% |
| Profit from operations | 拢2,574尘 | 拢2,295尘 | 拢2,213尘 | +16.3% | +3.7% |
| Adjusted profit from operations* | 拢2,841尘 | 拢2,531尘 | 拢2,452尘 | +15.8% | +3.2% |
| Basic earnings per share | 121.8p | - | 143.8p | -15.3% | - |
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share* | 134.4p | 118.0p | 111.1p | +21.0% | +6.2% |
| Interim dividend per share | 56.5p | - | 51.3p | +10.1% | - |
*The non-GAAP measures, including adjusting items and constant currencies, are further discussed on page 21 and 22 of the attached full announcement.
HALF-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
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- 听Revenue, at current rates of exchange, was 15.7% higher than the same period last year, reflecting the translational foreign exchange tailwind due to the relative weakness of sterling. Adjusted revenue, adjusted for excise on goods bought in from third parties, was up 2.5% at constant rates of exchange.
- 听Profit from operations, at current rates of exchange, was 16.3% higher at 拢2,574 million.
- 听Adjusted profit from operations, at current rates of exchange, grew 15.8%. At constant rates of exchange, adjusted profit from operations was up 3.2% at 拢2,531 million. Excluding the adverse transactional impact of foreign exchange, the increase would have been approximately 6%.
- 听Adjusted operating margin was ahead of prior year by 30 basis points (bps) at 37.1%.
- 听Basic earnings per share were 15.3% lower at 121.8p (2016: 143.8p) due to the impact in 2016 of the sale by Reynolds American Inc. (鈥淩eynolds鈥) of the international brand rights to Natural American Spirit.
- 听Adjusted diluted earnings per share, at current rates of exchange, were 21.0% higher at 134.4p and, at constant rates, were up 6.2%.
- 听The Group鈥檚 cigarette market share1听in its Key Markets2听continued to grow, up 30 bps, driven by the Global Drive Brands (鈥淕DBs鈥) which were higher by 50 bps.
- 听Group cigarette volume was 314 billion, 5.6% down against a strong prior year comparator, with the GDB volume down 1.3%. Excluding Pakistan, which was impacted by stock movements ahead of an excise-led price increase and the subsequent market contraction, volume declined 2.6%, with the GDBs up 2.6%.
- 听Continued excellent performance in Next Generation Products (鈥淣GPs鈥), with our Tobacco Heating Product (鈥淭HP鈥), glo, reaching an estimated 8% market share in Sendai, Japan. Early progress in other launch markets is above expectations. In vapour, the Group continued to cement its leadership position in Europe.
- 听The acquisition of Reynolds was completed on 25 July 2017, for a total consideration estimated, at the date of closure, at 拢41.7 billion for the remaining 57.8% of Reynolds not already owned by the Group.
- 听The Board has declared an interim dividend of 56.5p, being one third of the total 2016 dividend, a 10% increase on last year. This will be paid on 28 September 2017. As announced on 26 April 2017, the Group will move to quarterly dividends from 1 January 2018.
[1] Key Market offtake share, as measured by independent retail audit.
[2] The Group鈥檚 Key Markets represent over 70% of the Group鈥檚 cigarette volume.
Richard Burrows, Chairman, commenting on the 6 months ended 30 June 2017
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"These are exciting times for the Group. In the first six months of 2017, the combustible business continued to perform well, against the backdrop of a strong volume comparator. The performance of glo continues to exceed expectations, with new market launches showing encouraging early signs. The Group is the largest vapour company in the world and the successful completion of the Reynolds acquisition bolsters our leading position in both NGPs and combustibles. We remain confident of delivering another year of good earnings growth at constant rates of exchange."
Half-Year Report to 30 June 2017 - Full announcement (1.3 mb)
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