BAT pledge on earnings

LUCKY Strike and Dunhill maker British American Tobacco (BAT) has insisted it will deliver solid full-year earnings growth, despite flagging a currency hit.

The group said if foreign exchange rates remain the same for the rest of the year, it will impact operating profits by 6% for the year.

BAT will continue to pump in “significantly increased” investment into alternative products, such as e-cigarettes. As previously announced, it expects revenues from next-generation products to double this year to more than £1 billion.