LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British American Tobacco Plc (BTI, BATS.L) reported profit attributable to owners of the parent of 3.1 billion pounds or 156.2 pence per share for 2011, up from 2.88 billion pounds or 144.4 pence per share reported a year ago. Adjusted earnings per share grew to 194.6 pence from 175.7 pence in the previous year.
Profit before taxation rose to 4.93 billion pounds from last year's 4.39 billion pounds.
Annual revenues improved to 15.4 billion pounds from 14.88 billion pounds in the prior year.
Chairman Richard Burrows, commented, '2011 has been a very successful year for your Company and we carry momentum in market share growth and margin improvement into 2012. The economic climate around the world is far from settled but we remain confident that our strategy should continue to generate growth for our shareholders in the years ahead.'
Further, the Board recommended a final dividend of 88.4 pence per ordinary share of 25 pence for the year ended December 31, 2011. The company stated that if approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be held on April 26, 2012, the dividend will be payable on May 3, 2012 to shareholders registered on either the UK main register or the South African branch register on March 9, 2012.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
