Imperial Tobacco boosted by price hikes

Cigarettes giant Imperial Tobacco grew profits by 5% in the UK today after price increases helped offset the impact of a slowing domestic market.

The maker of Lambert & Butler and Richmond added six pence to a pack of cigarettes in October, leading to UK revenues less duty rising 2% to £395m (€568m) and profits reaching £233m (€335m) in the half-year to March 31.