Imperial could play role in any merger between Reynolds and Lorillard

Imperial Tobacco could help smooth the path toward the acquisition by Reynolds American of Lorillard, according to a story by Richard Craver for The Winston-Salem Journal.

Such an acquisition has been the subject of speculation since early March.

Imperial, which operates as Commonwealth Brands in the U.S., is said to have U.S. growth ambitions, and the current speculation is that it might buy Reynolds’ non-growth cigarette brands that include Kool, Winston, Salem, Doral, Misty and Capri.

Those brands combined hold a 7.3 percent U.S. market share, and their sale might be enough to persuade the Federal Trade Commission to approve the purchase of Lorillard.

Craver’s story is at http://www.journalnow.com/eedition/mapping/could-imperial-play-role-in-rumored-reynolds-deal/article_7007c455-dfe4-5789-9349-80993ad316d9.html.