REVENUE DRAG

Imperial Brands, which owns Lambert & Butler, Rizla and Cohiba cigars, said it was on course to meet full-year forecasts.

The shares increased 0.8pc, or 30.5p, to 3960.5p as it flagged a 4-5pc lift in earnings from positive currency moves. However, the start of plain packaging in the UK and more EU rules has taken its toll, it said.