Stablecoins are here to stay says BlackRock
Investing.com -- British American Tobacco (LON:BATS) on Tuesday said that first-half revenue is expected to come in slightly ahead of previous guidance, supported by growth in its U.S. business and gains in modern oral products, particularly Velo.
Group revenue is projected to rise 1% to 2% for both the first half and full year at constant exchange rates.
Adjusted profit from operations is expected to grow between 1.5% and 2.5% in 2025, with results weighted toward the second half due to the planned roll-out of new products.
The company said U.S. operations are set to return to revenue and profit growth. Total (EPA:TTEF) industry volume declined about 9% year-to-date, but BAT gained 10 basis points in both volume and value share.
Excluding the deep discount segment, which the company does not compete in, share gains reached 60 basis points. The launch of Velo Plus in the U.S. contributed to higher volume and retention.
Modern oral products recorded growth globally. In the top seven markets, Velo’s share increased by 270 basis points to 14.3% of total oral and by 350 basis points to 29.7% of modern oral.
U.S. share rose 550 basis points to 11.9%, with triple-digit revenue growth. The category delivered double-digit revenue growth overall.
In heated tobacco, glo’s volume share declined by 90 basis points in the top 10 markets. BAT cited competition in Japan and the phase-out of legacy platforms.
The company reported early positive results from the glo Hilo launch in Serbia. Revenue growth in the category is expected to be low single digits in the first half, with improvements in the second half tied to new product launches.
Vapour products under the Vuse brand remained affected by illicit trade in the U.S., where revenue is forecast to fall by a mid-teens percentage in the first half.
Global value share across top tracked markets was flat, with a 10-basis-point increase in AME and a 40-basis-point gain in Europe. BAT plans to introduce new premium products in the second half.
New Category revenue is expected to rise at a low-single-digit rate in the first half and at a mid-single-digit rate in the second. Full-year growth is forecast in the double digits in U.S. and Canada vapour markets.
In combustibles, group volume and value share declined 10 basis points in key markets. The company cited resilient results in Brazil, Türkiye and Romania. Performance in APMEA was weighed down by excise increases and regulatory changes.
BAT said it remains on course to exceed 90% operating cash flow conversion in 2025. It also expects to return to its leverage target of 2.0 to 2.5 times adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA.
A £1.1 billion share buyback was announced, supported by partial monetization of the company’s stake in India’s ITC (NSE:ITC).
Translational foreign exchange is projected to reduce adjusted profit from operations by about 4% in 2025.
Net finance costs are estimated at £1.8 billion, subject to currency and interest rate changes.