15th Sep 2006 12:00
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC15 September 2006 PRE-CLOSE TRADING UPDATE Imperial Tobacco Group's overall performance for the financial year to30 September 2006 remains in line with management's expectations. We have performed strongly in the UK, driven by improved cigarette market shareand pricing benefits. This performance was further enhanced by good cigarettemarket volumes over the summer. In Germany, whilst we continue to grow cigarette share, our performance has beenaffected by overall market decline and ongoing downtrading. In our Rest of Western Europe region, we have continued to grow our cigarettemarket shares in a number of countries despite difficult trading conditions andwith declining travel retail volumes. In our Rest of the World region, our results have benefited from further volumeand margin improvements in many markets across the region. On 5 September 2006, we announced the completion of the acquisition of theworldwide Davidoff cigarette trademark for €540 million (£368 million). As wellas significantly enhancing our brand equity, this acquisition provides greaterflexibility to develop the brand and accelerate its international growth. In the financial year to date, we have acquired 31.5m shares, representing 4.3%of those in issue, for £536 million, excluding transaction costs, at an averageprice of £16.99. Full year results for the year ended 30 September 2006, will be announced onTuesday, 31 October 2006. Note: On 18 and 19 September, presentations will be made in Kiev, Ukraine, to agroup of analysts and investors on our Rest of the World region. Copies of thesepresentations will be available on our website www.imperial-tobacco.com from17.00 (BST) on the day they are given. No new information of a price sensitivenature will be disclosed in these presentations. Enquiries Alex Parsons, Group Media Relations ManagerOffice 0117 933 7241 Simon Evans, Group Media Relations ExecutiveOffice 0117 933 7375 John Nelson-Smith, Investor Relations ManagerOffice 0117 933 7032Mobile 07919391866 Copies of our announcements are available on our website:www.imperial-tobacco.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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