Imperial Tobacco reported growth brands volume and net tobacco revenue dipped 1 per cent in the nine months to 30 June, pushed lower in the third quarter by Mideast political upheaval and a slumping Russian market.

Adjusted for Imperial’s stock optimisation programme, growth brands volume rose 3 per cent on new market launches and the expansion of Parker & Simpson, the company said. Growth brand volume, which include JPS, Davidoff and Gauloises, was 91.7 billion stick-equivalent units. Net tobacco sales were GBP 4.75 billion (EUR 5.93 billion).
Performance in the three months to 30 June was much worse than in the nine-month period. Reported volume fell 8 per cent and underlying sales declined 5 per cent, the company said without supplying numbers. "Significant decline", in the Russian market and Mideast turbulence were cited.
“Whilst conditions are tough in a number of our markets, our footprint provides balance and we’re generating good results in growth markets,” said Chief Executive Officer Alison Cooper.