Imperial Tobacco expects to post a 3% rise in total sales for the year.

The Lambert & Butler maker said cigarette volumes were likely to be down by 3% on the previous year, although the trend was bucked by growth for its West and Davidoff ‘global strategic brands’.

Partially offsetting the decline in cigarettes, volumes of rolling tobacco were tipped to rise by up to 6%. The group controls RYO brands including Golden Virginia and Drum.

Chief executive Alison Cooper, who took over from Gareth Davies earlier this year, said the company was benefiting from a tight focus on costs.

“I am pleased with our financial delivery given the challenging environment in a number of markets this year,” she said.

The company will issue its full results for the year on 2 November.

Read more
Ex-Imperial chief Davies joins bookies William Hill (28 July 2010)
Imperial takes to courts in Scots display ban challenge (25 June 2010)
Imperial Tobacco linked with US acquisition (10 June 2010)