British American Tobacco 1H profit up 16 pct to 1.45 bln pounds ($2.38 bln)

British American Tobacco 1H profit up 16 pct

LONDON — British American Tobacco PLC reported Thursday that its first half profit rose 16 percent compared to a year earlier to 1.45 billion pounds ($2.38 billion) as top brands such as Lucky Strike showed better sales.

Revenue was up 24 percent to 6.78 billion pounds, a 14 percent gain on a constant currency basis.

The company raised its interim dividend by 26 percent to 27.9 pence.

The company’s four “global drive brands” grew by 5 percent, with Dunhill up 8 percent, Lucky Strike up 7 percent and Pall Mall up 10 percent. Kent was 2 percent lower.

On the Net: www.bat.com