Underwhelming summer sales data for the Magners cider brand in Britain has led Davy Stockbrokers to downgrade its profit outlook for the product’s Irish parent, C&C by €3m.

Karl O’Dwyer shakes his head at the thought of it now.

DRINKS group C&C has reported a solid set of first-half results — including a €5 million year-on-year rise in pre-tax profits — despite tough trading conditions in Ireland and Britain during the second quarter of its financial year.

SALES of Magners cider, rather than overseas acquisitions, could be the key to Irish drinks group C&C substantially increasing international presence, according to analysts.

OFF-TRADE sales of Magners are up by 15% in the year to date, according to latest industry figures.

C&C is to sell its Tullamore Dew-led spirits division for €300 million – a full €100m more than broker estimates of the unit’s value.

DRINKS group C&C saw its share price dip by 2.82% or 7c to €2.52, yesterday, despite encouraging news from latest industry data in Britain.

DRINKS group C&C saw its share price dip by 2.82% or 7c to €2.52, yesterday, despite encouraging news from latest industry data in Britain.

UNITED Drug has increased its presence in the British home-based pharmacy care market by signing a joint venture agreement with US company, Medco Health Solutions.

THE first month of summer brought little sunshine for drinks group C&C which saw sales of Magners cider at British pubs and restaurants slump 23% in May.

DRINKS group C&C has received some new year cheer following a tough financial year, with latest trade data in Britain showing market share increases for its Magners cider brand.

Gardaí have named the man who died in a road accident in Co Donegal yesterday.

MAGNERS, C&C Group’s international cider brand, is accounting for around 75% of the current growth in British on-trade cider sales, according to latest estimates.