This revision reflected "the improved momentum in several markets, mainly in Europe,” parent company Japan Tobacco said in its consolidated financial results for the third quarter 2015.
JTI’s total shipment volume in the three months to 30 Sept declined 1.5 per cent to 104.3 billion units (cigarette equivalent units) compared to the same period in 2014.
Shipments of JTI global flagship brands, which include Winston, Camel, Mevius and LD, rose 3 per cent to 73.5 billion units. Global flagship brands fine cut shipment volume also increased by 30.9 per cent.
Operating profit in the third quarter 2015 was down 27.7 per cent to USD 1.45 billion (EUR 1.33 billion) due to currency fluctuations, the company said. At constant currency rates, operating profit would have been up 11.2 per cent.
Sales, which declined 14.4 per cent to USD 2.8 billion, would have risen by 8.3 per cent had currency rates remained stable.