FEVER-TREE FIZZING OVER PROFITS

FEVER-TREE toasted a buoyant 2014 with sales and profits rising as the company strengthened its market share.

The drinks firm, which raised around £4m when it floated on the London Stock Exchange’s junior AIM market at the end of last year, reported annual revenues of £34.7m, up 49pc from £23.3m a year earlier.

Adjusted earnings jumped 48pc to £10m and the group announced a final dividend of 0.30p per share.

Fever-Tree, best known for its premium tonic water, has continued its rapid expansion overseas, with a launch into India during the year representing the 50th market for the drinks. Charles Rolls, Fever-Tree’s executive deputy chairman, said he was confident the business could continue to grow as consumers’ taste for expensive spirits meant they were keen to mix their favourite tipples with equally upmarket soft drinks.

Sohil Chotai, analyst at Edison Investment Research, agrees, saying: ‘With the fastest growing categories of spirits being the premium and super premium categories there is demand for high quality mixers which Fevertree can satisfy.’

Shares lost their fizz, falling 2p to 214p.