煙草在線據《星報》報道編譯　　主要由于市場營銷與經銷成本的開支降低，以及與品牌有關活動的時間安排，英美煙草公司的凈利潤增長了8.9%。

　　在2012財年的第一季度，英美煙草公司的凈利潤為1.9461億林吉特，相比之下，去年同期的凈利潤為1.7856億林吉特。

　　總收入增長了5.1%，從去年的9.9215億林吉特增長到10.4億林吉特，這與馬來西亞國內銷量取得增長及分包合同制造收入增多是一致的。

　　英美煙草公司董事會宣布第一次期中股息為每股65仙，股息總計達到1.8559億林吉特，支付日為5月25日。

　　在與公司的經營結果一起發布的聲明中，英美煙草公司說，去年第一季度，集團的銷量與市場份額受到了當地某些經濟價位以下的品牌以低于政府規定的最低價格出售活動的不利影響。

　　英美煙草公司說：“由于馬來西亞政府決定在2011年不提高消費稅，馬來西亞相關政府部門加大了遏制非法卷煙貿易和非法定價活動的工作，同時，登喜路的業績表現十分強勁，因此，公司的銷量與去年同期相比增長了4.5%。”

　　英美煙草公司還補充說：“今年到目前為止，公司的市場份額保持穩定在62.5%，與上一季度相比提高了0.2%。”

　　登喜路去年繼續取得強勁的業績，今年3月份保持其有史以來最高的市場份額：46.6%，而其余的品牌則繼續保持彈性。

　　至于今年的前景，由于到目前為止的市場份額與2011年全年相比增長了1.4%，英美煙草公司對品牌組合的繼續發展保持樂觀。

　　它說，尤其是登喜路，繼續著在去年所展示的值得稱道的業績。加上最近在4月推出的新產品，英美煙草公司相信，它將會把登喜路帶到更高的高度。

　　然而，英美煙草公司補充說：“非法貿易的威脅仍然普遍，由馬來西亞煙草制造商聯合會委托開展的非法卷煙研究發現，非法煙草在2011年全年達到了36.1%。”

BAT earnings up on lower marketing spend

The Star
Tuesday April 24, 2012

　　PETALING JAYA: British American Tobacco (M) Bhd (BAT) recorded an 8.9% increase in net profit mainly due to lower spend in marketing and distribution costs, as well as timing of brand-related activities.

　　For its financial year 2012 first-quarter net profit, BAT achieved RM194.51mil compared with RM178.56mil in the same period a year ago.

　　Revenue grew by 5.1% from RM992.15mil a year ago to RM1.04bil, in line with higher domestic volume as well as greater sub-contract manufacturing revenue.

　　The board of directors has declared a first interim dividend of 65 sen per share, amounting to RM185.59mil, payable on May 25.

　　In a statement released with its results, BAT said the first quarter last year was a period which saw the group’s volume and market share adversely impacted by the activities of certain local sub-value-for-money brands selling below the Government-mandated minimum price.

　　"With the Government's decision not to raise excise tax in 2011, increased effort by relevant Government agencies in curbing illegal cigarette trade and illegal pricing activities as well as strong performance by Dunhill, the group's volume grew by 4.5% as compared to same period last year," it said.

　　"The group's market share year to date of 62.5% was stable, up 0.2% as compared to preceding quarter," it added.

　　Dunhill continued its strong performance last year, maintaining its highest-ever market share of 46.6% in March this year, while the rest of the brands continue to remain resilient.

　　As for its outlook this year, BAT is optimistic that the group will continue to grow with its portfolio of brands, increasing market share by 1.4% year to date as compared to 2011 full year.

　　It said that Dunhill, in particular, continued with its commendable performance as displayed last year. Coupled with the recent new product launch in April, the group is confident that it will take Dunhill to greater heights.

　　"Nevertheless, the threat of illicit trade is still prevalent, with illicit incidence of 36.1% recorded for full-year 2011 Illegal Cigarettes Study commissioned by Confederation of Malaysian Tobacco Manufacturers," it added.