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Tag: Imperial

  • Imperial Vows to Grow Profits 3-5% Over Next Five Years

    Imperial Vows to Grow Profits 3-5% Over Next Five Years

    Today (March 26), Imperial Brands said it will grow annual operating profits by 3-5% and launch a share buyback every year until 2030 as it prepares to set out its growth strategy at a capital markets day.

    The company has enjoyed a rebound in sales and returns after retreating to focus on core markets and its tobacco business following an earlier foray into vapes that saw it lose market share. It outlined a new five-year strategy, signaling a continuation of that focus but also an effort to build scale in smoking alternatives, including its e-cigarette brand blu, nicotine pouch brand Zone and heated tobacco device Pulze.

    Over the years to 2030, that plan would deliver up to 5% operating profit growth a year, led by smoking alternatives, and an annual share buyback, with free cash flows of up to £3 billion ($3.9 billion) per year, it said in a statement.

    “The strategy builds on the firm foundations of our current plan, which has created a better business delivering a stronger, more consistent operational and financial performance, and excellent returns for shareholders,” chief executive Stefan Bomhard said.

  • Markets Stand Behind Tobacco

    Markets Stand Behind Tobacco

    Seeking Alpha, a crowd-sourced content service that publishes news on financial markets, said the prices of tobacco and smoking products in the U.S. rose 6.8% in January compared to a year ago on an unadjusted basis. Overall, core inflation was up 3.3% year-over-year during the month, which was slightly higher than the pace in December and above the expectations of analysts.

    On a month-to-month comparison, tobacco and smoking products were up 0.4% in January to mark the fifth month in a row of higher pricing for the broad category.

    Analysts have not moved off their position that Philip Morris International, Altria, Imperial Brands, and British American Tobacco could all see benefits under the Trump Administration.

    Seeking Alpha said, “UBS sees the Republican control of Congress as a slight positive for tobacco stocks. Analyst Faham Baig reminded investors that Republican control has historically been seen as a positive for U.S. tobacco, due to the likelihood of reduced regulation. On that note, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the OMB withdrew in January the menthol cigarette ban and the U.S. has pulled back from the World Health Organization.”

  • Stock Buybacks Underway

    Stock Buybacks Underway

    Several large tobacco industry stalwarts have continued with stock buyback programs this week.

    British American Tobacco announced the repurchase of 134,079 ordinary shares at an average price of 2,904.6775 pence per share as part of its ongoing buyback program. This move is aimed at reducing the number of shares in circulation, potentially increasing the value of remaining shares and benefiting shareholders. Following the completion of this transaction, the company will have 2,208,154,745 shares outstanding, with 133,266,206 held in treasury, thereby impacting shareholders’ notifications under regulatory guidelines.

    Imperial Brands PLC announced the repurchase and cancellation of 152,276 of its ordinary shares as part of its GBP 1.25 billion share repurchase program. This transaction, executed through Morgan Stanley on the London Stock Exchange, aims to reduce the overall number of shares in circulation, potentially enhancing shareholder value by increasing earnings per share.

  • Report: E-Cig Market to Reach $23B by 2029

    Report: E-Cig Market to Reach $23B by 2029

    The E-cigarette market is projected to grow from its current $18.98 billion to $23.15 billion by 2029, an increase of 3.4%, that according to the “E-Cigarette Market Research Report 2020-2029” that was released today.

    The global e-cigarette market is highly competitive, characterized by the presence of key players such as Altria Group, British American Tobacco (BAT), Imperial Brands, and Japan Tobacco International (JTI). With the declining sale of traditional cigarettes due to increasing health awareness and regulatory pressures, such companies have aggressively entered the e-cigarette market, pushing innovation and technology.

    The global e-cigarette market continues to see user-friendly products introduced that are popular with beginners, as well as open systems including mods that offer greater customization options for experienced vapers. Advancements in battery technology and improvements in e-liquid formulation have likewise helped advance the vaping experience.

    Governments, non-profit organizations, and healthcare providers have for decades been pushing awareness against the health risks of smoking, which is positively impacting the e-cigarette market.

  • Imperial On Track to Meet Full-Year Guidance

    Imperial On Track to Meet Full-Year Guidance

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    Imperial Brands is on track to deliver full-year results in line with expectations and the company’s guidance of low-single-digit constant currency net revenue growth. Over the next three years, the company continues to expect operating profit growth to accelerate to a mid-single-digit CAGR at constant currency.

    The company has seen a robust tobacco pricing and stable aggregate market share across its top 5 combustible markets against a strong comparator.

    Product launches across vapor, heated tobacco and modern oral have driven next-generation product net revenue growth.

    First-half group adjusted operating profit is expected to be at a similar level to last year on a constant currency basis. Tobacco and next-generation product (NGP) adjusted operating profit has been impacted by the planned increase in NGP investment, the impact of the company’s exit from Russia and the continued unwind of Covid-19. Growth in distribution adjusted operating profit has helped to mitigate these headwinds.

    Imperial is on track to meet full-year expectations and its guidance of growing revenue and operating profit. The company completed £523 million ($654.82 million) of the fiscal year 2023 £1 billion share buyback as part of an ongoing program of capital returns.

    The interim results for the six months ended March 31, 2023, will be announced on May 16, 2023.